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

Revisiting data from desiccation experiments did not show nearly as strong an increase in DNA repair transcripts, but the authors suggest that the uptick could occur later in the process, upon rehydration—an intriguing topic for future research. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 16 Apr. 2024

Most people know silica as the mysterious contents of desiccation packets found in vitamin bottles, high-end leather purses, clothing, and other items. —Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024

The entire sea in that area shallowed, freshened, and then dried out, leaving deep desiccation cracks. —Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2023

These plants tend to be more susceptible to desiccation and freezing during winter drawdowns leading to lower abundance the following warm season. —Debbie Archer Special To The Commercial, arkansasonline.com, 3 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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