desiccation

noun

des·​ic·​ca·​tion ˌde-si-ˈkā-shən 

: the act or process of drying or desiccating something or the state of being or becoming dried up : removal or loss of moisture : thorough drying

desiccation of soil

This … led to the increasingly dry climate and eventual desiccation of all Central Asia and Tibet.

—Frits Staal

Examples of desiccation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The heat ruptures the cell walls in the leaves, causing desiccation and ultimately killing the weed. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2025

Before placing the stem in ample water, to prevent desiccation, make sure to remove all leaves that would be submerged and would invite water mold. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 June 2025

Under these conditions, plants lose water quickly which increases the risk of desiccation of plant tissues. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

Winter desiccation injury on broadleaved and needled evergreens causes foliage browning when plants cannot take up the water needed to keep foliage healthy. —Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for desiccation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

desiccation

noun

des·​ic·​ca·​tion ˌdes-i-ˈkā-shən 

: the act or process of desiccating or the state of being or becoming desiccated

especially : a complete or nearly complete deprivation of moisture (as by vaporization or by evaporation) or of water not chemically combined : dehydration

from the long-wave diathermy machine two distinct currents are obtained which produce desiccation and electrocoagulation respectively

—W. H. Schmidt