dehydrate

verb

de·hy·drate | \(ˌ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt

Definition of dehydrate

transitive verb

1a : to remove bound water or hydrogen and oxygen from (a chemical compound) in the proportion in which they form water

b : to remove water from (something, such as a food)

2 : to deprive of vitality or savor

intransitive verb

: to lose water or body fluids

Other Words from dehydrate Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about dehydrate

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Dehydrating food is a good way to preserve it; raisins, which are dehydrated grapes, are a good example. Dehydration through industrial processes makes it possible to keep food even longer and store it in a smaller space. Freeze-drying produces food that only needs rehydration—that is, the addition of water—to restore its original consistency. Runners, cyclists, and hikers fearful of dehydration seem to be constantly hydrating themselves nowadays, sometimes even using a shoulder pack with a tube going straight into the mouth. Dehydrate can also be used for making something "dry" or "lifeless;" thus, a dull teacher can dehydrate American history, and an unimaginative staging can dehydrate a great Shakespeare play.

Examples of dehydrate in a Sentence

Salt dehydrates the meat and keeps it from spoiling. Athletes drink lots of water so they don't dehydrate. Exercising in this heat will dehydrate you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Buds already past their prime were completely dehydrated Tuesday during a visit to the gardens, and singed brown leaves could be seen not only on camellia shrubs but also on ferns and the new growth of surrounding oak trees. — Sara Cardine, latimes.com, "Acres of historic camellias at Descanso Gardens scorched during weekend’s triple-digit heat," 12 July 2018 To create it, the culinary team employs a multistep technique that involves scraping any excess fat off the skin, then dehydrating it before frying and stretching it to its maximum potential length. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "Pork Rinds With an Upscale Twist," 6 Sep. 2018 At times, cast members truly seem to be in serious trouble: dehydrated, hungry, exhausted. — Jerry Beilinson, Popular Mechanics, "Confessions of a Reality-Show Survival Guide," 9 Oct. 2013 He hadn't nursed in several days and was dehydrated. — Tiffini Theisen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Tourists help save life of orphaned baby manatee," 11 Apr. 2018 Now Lab Series a skin care company for men, is promoting its Future Rescue Repair Serum, a high-performance, concentrated, daily antiaging treatment that is the perfect travel companion for dehydrated, thirsty skin. — Necee Regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 1 May 2018 But, most importantly, it’s filled with L-carnitine, which, just like caffeine, can temporarily minimize the appearance of cellulite, thanks to its fat-dehydrating properties. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "Because You’ve Been Wondering: Do Skin-Firming Creams Really Work?," 24 Oct. 2017 Paramedics spirited her to a nearby hospital, where doctors determined that she was severely dehydrated; at 90/60, her blood pressure was worrisomely low. — Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, "Her doctor said she had the flu. It took years to find the real, and strange, illness.," 23 June 2018 The suits dehydrate the body, and any weight lost from sweating will come back once the user drinks water. — USA TODAY, "The biggest exercise fad the year you were born," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dehydrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.