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

Tens of thousands of people have been sickened by the pollution, which also sullies the air when the water aerosolizes as sea spray. —Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Despite the threat to Amanda’s life, Will was forced to leave with Caleb to find the lab where the bacteria was being aerosolized. —Max Gao, Variety, 14 May 2025

So here’s the deal: The explosion could have aerosolized the virus, in which case opening the door would expose the public, and that would be very bad. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

Prevention The most important public health message is not to aerosolize droppings. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 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