dialysis

noun

di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈa-lə-səs 

plural dialyses dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz 

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

ˌdī-ə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

Examples of dialysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Surgeons in California have performed the first ever human bladder transplant — and the recipient is now off dialysis after a procedure that could revolutionize treatment for people whose own organ has been damaged by illness or is malformed, the University of California announced Sunday. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025

Patients also had the option of dialysis if the transplant failed. —Nadia Kounang, CNN Money, 17 May 2025

This includes people who receive dialysis or have chronic kidney disease (CKD). —Alex Yampolsky, Health, 7 Apr. 2025

When renal artery stenosis causes severe kidney failure, dialysis or renal transplant can help replace the kidney function. —Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for dialysis

• analysis
• paralysis
• cryptanalysis
• urinalysis
• electrodialysis
• haemodialysis
• hemodialysis
• microanalysis
• psychoanalysis

Kids Definition

dialysis

noun

di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈal-ə-səs 

plural dialyses -ə-ˌsēz 

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 

plural dialyses -ˌsēz 

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

ˌdī-ə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective