dilute

di·lute | \ dī-ˈlüt

How to pronounce dilute (audio)

, də- \

diluted; diluting

Definition of dilute

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : attenuate dilute the power of the mayoralty diluting the quality of the finished product

2 : to make thinner or more liquid by admixture diluted the bleach with water diluting juice with water

3 : to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance of (something) by or as if by admixture dilute a color But spreading the light out also dilutes it …— Michael Zeilik and John Gaustad

4 : to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares

dilute

Definition of dilute (Entry 2 of 2)

: weak, diluted a dilute acid solution

Other Words from dilute Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dilute

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Examples of dilute in a Sentence

Verb You can dilute the medicine with water. The hiring of the new CEO diluted the power of the company's president. diluting the quality of our products Adjective a dilute solution of acid a dilute acid that's safe to handle in the classroom

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb That doesn’t dilute the journey, an emotional Erik Spoelstra told reporters. — Joe Freeman, oregonlive, "Roadmap to 2020-21 NBA season, Houston Rockets' coaching search, bubble changes that might last, emotional Erik Spoelstra: NBA news and notes," 13 Oct. 2020 Sugar can also dilute the proteins in eggs, delaying the point at which their proteins find each other and bond, McGee says. — Washington Post, "Sugar adds more than sweetness to baked goods. Here’s what to know before you cut it.," 5 Oct. 2020 Thus stock options inherently dilute the value of the shares held by existing shareholders. — Bruce Bartlett, The New Republic, "How Corporations Scam Their Shareholders and Screw Over Workers," 28 Sep. 2020 Airflow, either introducing new air into a room or filtering the existing air, can disperse and dilute any infectious aerosol particles, reducing a person’s potential exposure. — Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, "Mild End to a Minnesota September While More Tropical Systems Threat," 17 Sep. 2020 Democratic challengers in key Senate contests are rejecting court packing, breaking with their party’s presidential nominee, Joe Biden, who is dodging questions about his support for expanding the Supreme Court to dilute conservative influence. — David M. Drucker, Washington Examiner, "Democratic Senate candidates claim they oppose liberal base on court-packing," 1 Oct. 2020 These issues are likely to come before the Supreme Court again, and a 6-to-3 conservative majority could help dilute the impact of the Bostock ruling, some LGBTQ advocates say. — Washington Post, "A new conservative Supreme Court justice could boost religious rights at the cost of LGBTQ protections," 22 Sep. 2020 If your building allows it, letting in outside air is one of the best ways to dilute the coronavirus. — Alina Dizik, WSJ, "How to Ventilate Your Home to Fight Coronavirus, Wildfire Smoke," 21 Sep. 2020 These days Republicans tend to be third-party fans, possibly because so many of the ones with ballot lines have names that sound liberal and would presumably dilute support from the Democrats. — Gail Collins New York Times, Star Tribune, "Avoid the third-party candidates who want to run the country," 17 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Industrial waste can turn planet-warming carbon dioxide into stone," 3 Sep. 2020 The company reported a net loss during the first quarter of $3.9 million, or 11 cents diluted loss per share, compared to a net income of $4.3 million, or 12 cents dilute earnings per share over the same period last year. — Paul Takahashi, Houston Chronicle, "Francesca’s to focus on back-to-school sales to boost subpar earnings," 5 June 2018 Tests pick it up even in dilute wastewater,'' the story reports. — Bob Warren, NOLA.com, "Flush by flush, Canada collecting marijuana data: report," 15 Apr. 2018 Of the plants previously watered with very dilute vinegar, 70 percent survived while almost none of those that were given other acids or only water did. — Carolyln Wilke, sacbee, "Vinegar can help plants survive drought," 30 June 2017 A dilute sample is when a player drinks so much water, the urine test administered is ineffective because of the excess water consumption. — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Joe Thomas defended Jabrill Peppers even before they were teammates: Doug Lesmerises," 16 May 2017 Dallas Cowboys Bob’s pick: Jabril Peppers, DB/LB, Michigan Comment: A dilute sample on a drug test might cause some teams pause about Peppers. — Jayson Jenks, The Seattle Times, "2017 NFL mock draft from Bob Condotta and Jayson Jenks," 27 Apr. 2017 Cincinnati: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama (6-0, 229) — A dilute sample at the combine? — Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Mock Draft: The 49ers and Raiders will select…," 26 Apr. 2017 These works contained a very dilute formaldehyde solution that was contained within sealed tanks. — Christopher D. Shea, New York Times, "Damien Hirst’s Art May Have Leaked Formaldehyde Fumes, Study Says," 21 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dilute.' 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

21 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Dilute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilute. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for dilute

dilute

verb

English Language Learners Definition of dilute

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make (a liquid) thinner or less strong by adding water or another liquid

: to lessen the strength of (something)

dilute

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of dilute (Entry 2 of 2)

technical : reduced in strength as a result of containing an added liquid

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

dilute

di·lute | \ dī-ˈlüt

, də- \

diluted; diluting

Kids Definition of dilute

: to make thinner or more liquid by adding something Mom diluted the punch with water.

dilute

transitive verb

di·lute | \ dī-ˈlüt, də-

\

diluted; diluting

Medical Definition of dilute

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture

dilute

Medical Definition of dilute (Entry 2 of 2)

: of relatively low strength or concentration a dilute solution

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dilute

transitive verb

di·lute | \ dī-ˈlüt, də-

\

diluted; diluting

Legal Definition of dilute

: to cause dilution of

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