electrolysis

noun

elec·​trol·​y·​sis i-ˌlek-ˈträ-lə-səs 

1

a

: the producing of chemical changes by passage of an electric current through an electrolyte

b

: subjection to this action

2

: the destruction of hair roots by an electrologist using direct current

Examples of electrolysis in a Sentence

She had electrolysis done on her upper lip.

Recent Examples on the Web

As for unwanted facial hair, plenty of trans people who start T don’t want to grow a beard, and many opt for laser hair removal or electrolysis to treat any undesired fur. —Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025

Among them are waxing and electrolysis. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

The company claims that its groundbreaking carbon-negative electrolysis units also extract CO2 from water to create bicarbonates and can be custom-fit to meet the specific energy demands of our customers — big or small. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025

The system, known as electrolysis, produces hydrogen (H2) and CO2 that can be stored and used as feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and e-methanol for shipping. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for electrolysis

• fibrinolysis
• radiolysis
• autolysis
• cytolysis
• glycolysis
• haemolysis
• hydrolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• pyrolysis
• thermolysis
• glycogenolysis

Kids Definition

electrolysis

noun

elec·​trol·​y·​sis i-ˌlek-ˈträl-ə-səs 

1

: the producing of chemical changes by passage of an electric current through an electrolyte

2

: the destruction of hair roots with an electric current

Medical Definition

electrolysis

noun

elec·​trol·​y·​sis i-ˌlek-ˈträl-ə-səs 

plural electrolyses -ˌsēz 

1

a

: the process of producing chemical changes by passage of an electric current through an electrolyte

b

: subjection to this action

2

: the destruction of hair roots by an electrologist by means of an electric current applied to the body with a needle-shaped electrode