Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

autoxidation

noun au·tox·i·da·tion \ ȯ-ˌtäk-sə-ˈdā-shən \

Definition of autoxidation

: oxidation by direct combination with oxygen (as in air) at ordinary temperatures

First Known Use of autoxidation

1883

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

autoxidation

noun au·tox·i·da·tion \ ȯ-ˌtäk-sə-ˈdā-shən \
variants: also auto-oxidation play \ˌȯt-ō-ˌäk-sə-ˈdā-shən\

medical Definition of autoxidation

: oxidation by direct combination with oxygen (as in air) at ordinary temperatures
  • the rancidity of fats and oils is caused by autoxidation

Learn More about autoxidation

  1. See words that rhyme with autoxidation Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about autoxidation

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up autoxidation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

play

a lighting electrician on a movie set

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  2. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  3. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  4. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

  5. troll 'to harass, criticize, or antagonize especially by disparaging or mocking public statements'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

autoxidation

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games