dialysis

noun

di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈa-lə-səs How to pronounce dialysis (audio)
plural dialyses dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz How to pronounce dialysis (audio)
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

dialytic adjective

Examples of dialysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Every night, Hallum connected a tube from her dialysis machine to her abdomen. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 Other big news: Luxury is out; so is kidney dialysis after the latest Ozempic trial. WSJ, 11 Oct. 2023 Hsu isn’t calling for a radical revision of dialysis care. Usha Lee McFarling, STAT, 28 Sep. 2023 That raise wouldn’t apply to doctors and nurses, but to most everyone else who works at hospitals, dialysis clinics or other health care facilities. Adam Beam, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2023 Some examples include: pregnancy, chronic medical conditions and ongoing and active medical treatment such as chemotherapy or dialysis or home healthcare services. Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 31 Aug. 2023 As the illness progressed, Kleinberg was facing renal failure and underwent dialysis three times a week for six years before receiving a kidney transplant in 2007. Ashley Cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2023 Israeli airstrikes damaged the solar panels powering al-Shifa’s main hospital ward on Nov. 6, reducing the hospital’s supply to a secondary generator now reserved for only critical oxygen and dialysis care. Cate Brown, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 Emmie was born with underdeveloped lungs, and needed dialysis to stay alive. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 27 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dialysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, separation, from dialyein to dissolve, from dia- + lyein to loosen — more at lose

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dialysis was in 1861

Dictionary Entries Near dialysis

Cite this Entry

“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

dialysis

noun
di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈal-ə-səs How to pronounce dialysis (audio)
plural dialyses -ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce dialysis (audio)
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially : such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein

Medical Definition

dialysis

noun
di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈal-ə-səs How to pronounce dialysis (audio)
plural dialyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce dialysis (audio)
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

dialytic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on dialysis

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