aerosolize

verb

aero·​sol·​ize ˈer-ə-ˌsä-ˌlīz 

-ˌsȯ-,

-sə-

aerosolized; aerosolizing; aerosolizes

transitive verb

: to disperse (something) as an aerosol : to convert or form into an aerosol

… high-energy laser pulses vaporize or aerosolize thin layers from the surface of a bulk sample …

—Nancy H. McGuire

… a battery-powered device that aerosolizes nicotine for inhalation but does not burn tobacco.

—Nancy A. Rigotti

Spraying cleaning products into a shower stall and then turning on hot water aerosolizes all those chemicals into everything from bathroom walls to fabric.

—Kathryn Matthews

aerosolized adjective

aerosolized medications

Infection in humans occurs after inhalation of aerosolized virus or direct contact with infected rodents or their excreta.

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

Examples of aerosolize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At that spot, the Tijuana River flows through pipes running beneath the road, then dumps out in cascades that cause the toxic chemicals in the sewage to aerosolize. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

While most research on the contamination crisis has focused on direct contact with the water, the authors of Thursday’s study warned that the pollutants have the potential to aerosolize and disperse far beyond the riverbanks. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025

Water systems such as cooling towers, large air-conditioning systems, spas and hot tubs can then aerosolize the microbe, making bacterial control in these types of structures a vital prevention measure. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2025

When this happens, the virus gets aerosolized and infects the blood vessels in the lungs. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

aerosol + -ize

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aerosolize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Medical Definition

aerosolize

transitive verb

aero·​sol·​ize ˈar-ə-ˌsäl-ˌīz, ˈer-, -ˌsȯl- 

aerosolized; aerosolizing

: to disperse (as a medicine, bactericide, or insecticide) as an aerosol

aerosolized pentamidine, which is sprayed directly into the lungs

—C. C. Mann

aerosolizer noun