dehydrate

1 of 2

verb

de·​hy·​drate (ˌ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

dehydrated; dehydrating; dehydrates

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

dehydrator

(ˌ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrā-tər 

noun

dehydrator

2 of 2

noun

de·​hy·​dra·​tor

variants or less commonly dehydrater

dēˈhīˌdrātə(r), 

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that dehydrates or operates dehydrating apparatus: such as

a

: an operator of a still for removing water from lubricating oils

b

: an agent (as silica gel) for dehydrating

c

: a device or apparatus for dehydrating : dryer

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.

Synonyms of dehydrate

Verb

• undermine
• weaken
• drain
• desiccate
• exhaust
• petrify
• wear

Examples of dehydrate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Although caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, moderate amounts of caffeine generally isn’t dehydrating for most healthy adults. — Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 21 July 2026

Regular consumption of caffeine up to 300 mg per day (about 16 ounces of coffee) does not significantly dehydrate the body. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026

According to the Oakland Zoo, Clover was initially found severely underweight, dehydrated, and in critical condition by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in early 2026. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

If conditions are grim enough to inspire you to consider urine as a beverage, then you are most likely severely dehydrated. — Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

dehydrate

verb

de·​hy·​drate (ˈ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

1

: to remove water from (as foods)

2

: to lose water or body fluids

dehydration

ˌdē-ˌhī-ˈdrā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

dehydrate

verb

de·​hy·​drate (ˈ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

dehydrated; dehydrating

transitive verb

1

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

2

: to remove water from (as foods)

intransitive verb

: to lose water or body fluids

dehydrator

-ˌdrāt-ər 

noun