detoxify

verb de·tox·i·fy \ (ˌ)dē-ˈtäk-sə-ˌfī \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of detoxify

detoxified; detoxifying

1 a : to remove a harmful substance (such as a poison or toxin) or the effect of such from

b : to render (a harmful substance) harmless

2 : to free (someone, such as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance

3 : neutralize 2

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detoxification

play \(ˌ)dē-ˌtäk-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

See detoxify defined for English-language learners

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Examples of detoxify in a Sentence

a special tea that is supposed to detoxify the body
a drug addict who is being detoxified

Recent Examples of detoxify from the Web

Elsewhere, model Marte Mei van Haaster did just that, trading Fanning's rubbery sheet mask for a slathering of detoxifying mud that made for a kiln-ready capture.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "The 10 Best Beauty Instagrams of the Week: Kaia Gerber Makes the Case for No Makeup (and More!)," 18 Mar. 2018
The second-place award of $125,000 went to David Hamilton of The Nature Conservancy in Lansing, Michigan, who proposed a lock system where water would be treated with chlorine to kill fish and other organisms, then detoxified.

— Washington Post, "Michigan crowns winner in contest to prevent carp invasion," 27 Mar. 2018
Following treatment, sodium bisulfate would be used to detoxify the water before it was released back into the river.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Invasive Asian carp competition nets $500K in prizes for innovators," 27 Mar. 2018
Reddit is trying mightily to detoxify the internet, says the New Yorker.

— david lazarus, latimes.com, "California Inc.: Oh, like you're not jazzed about another movie featuring giant robots," 19 Mar. 2018
The liver is involved in detoxifying the blood and toxins in the blood affect the brain.

— joe peterburger, National Geographic, "Why the Brain-Body Connection Is More Important Than We Think," 17 Mar. 2018
This holistic treatment is said to detoxify, improve your skin, fight allergies, and totally zen you out.

— sunny montefiore, Bon Appetit, "Visiting a Salt Cave Eased My Anxiety, Boosted My Energy, and Generally Made Life Better," 26 Feb. 2018
Saunas have taken off big time, as sweating is the only proven way to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals.

— victoria veilleux, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Most Out-There Spa Treatments of 2018, and Where to Get Them," 24 Jan. 2018
The detoxifying ingredient purges pores with an almost magnetic-like effect, cleansing skin of dirt, oil, and grime.

— sarah kinonen, Allure, "11 Best Skin-Care Sticks to Streamline Your 2018 Routine," 10 Jan. 2018

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

Did You Know?

These days, detoxify can mean to free (someone) from a substance addiction (and yes, it's the source of detox, a more recent word that also refers to getting drugs or alcohol out of a person's system). Originally, however, detoxification was something done to things rather than to people. In its earliest uses - from about 1905 - detoxify referred to the removal of poison, or of poisonous or damaging properties, from a harmful substance, or to the removal of poisonous or toxic substances from something contaminated (such as the bloodstream).The specific application to removing poison from an addict is relatively new, dating to the mid-20th century. Today, detoxify is also often used generally in reference to counteracting the activity or effect of anything harmful (such as propaganda).

First Known Use of detoxify

circa 1905

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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DETOXIFY Defined for English Language Learners

detoxify

verb

Definition of detoxify for English Language Learners

: to remove a poisonous or harmful substance from (something)
: to cause (someone) to stop using drugs or alcohol by providing special help and treatment

Medical Dictionary

detoxify

verb de·tox·i·fy \ (ˈ)dē-ˈtäk-sə-ˌfī \

medical Definition of detoxify

detoxified; detoxifying

transitive verb

1 a : to remove a poison or toxin or the effect of such from

b : to render (a harmful substance) harmless

2 : to free (as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance