dialysis

di·al·y·sis | \ dī-ˈa-lə-səs

plural dialyses\ dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz

Definition of dialysis

1 : the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances

2 : the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein

— called also hemodialysis

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Examples of dialysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That's especially important to DeAnthony Knighten and his 10-year-old son, DeAnthony Junior, who is on kidney dialysis. — Jonathan Lapook, CBS News, "Early flu season prompts hospitals to take extra precautions," 3 Jan. 2020 But Zimba points to Zambia’s history with nephrology: As recently as 2004, the nation didn’t have the ability to perform dialysis for diabetes patients with failing kidneys, and patients who could afford it were sent to India. — Oliver Staley, Quartz Africa, "Zambia has 17 million people, a stroke epidemic, and no neurologists," 30 Dec. 2019 Medicare spends $114 billion a year on kidney care — about $35 billion of it for the more than 700,000 people whose kidneys have failed and require dialysis or a transplant to stay alive. — Kimberly Kindy, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump administration seeks to boost organs available for transplant," 17 Dec. 2019 In 2004, a 64-year-old woman in Indiana had a catheter put in to help with dialysis. — Wired, "Scientists Find a Weak Spot in Some Superbugs' Defenses," 9 Dec. 2019 In life-threatening situations, dialysis may be the best option. — Jenna Wirth, Health.com, "What Are Caffeine Pills—And Are They Safe?," 4 Dec. 2019 More than 700,000 people have end-stage renal disease, meaning their kidneys have failed, and require either a transplant or dialysis to survive. — Phil Helsel, NBC News, "New Jersey hospital gives kidney to wrong transplant patient," 27 Nov. 2019 Now at 20 years old, Walker’s life revolves around dialysis sessions, physical therapy, doctors’ appointments and twice-a-day naps. — Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE.com, "Teen's Lung and Kidneys Destroyed by Vaping Illness: 'I Begged My Parents to Let Me Die'," 25 Nov. 2019 At the hospital in Mexico, a team of doctors, dialysis and a ventilator helped him recover. — Mark Strassmann, CBS News, "Tyler Perry helps American couple held "captive" in Mexican hospital," 22 Nov. 2019

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

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Dialysis.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 23 January 2020.

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More Definitions for dialysis

dialysis

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dialysis

medical : the process of removing some of a person's blood, cleaning it, and then returning it to the person's body

See the full definition for dialysis in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dialysis

noun

di·al·y·sis | \ dī-ˈal-ə-səs

plural dialyses\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of dialysis

1 : the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances

2 : either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:

a : the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein

— called also hemodialysis

b : a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane

— called also peritoneal dialysis