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

Instead, e-fuels use CO₂ from the atmosphere (or industrial emissions), plus hydrogen extracted from water via electrolysis using renewable electricity. —Megan Frye, CNN Money, 21 May 2025

Australia has vast renewable potential for green hydrogen, but its remoteness and reliance on untested electrolysis at scale leave gaps. —David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

With growing pressure to decarbonize heavy industries and transportation, green hydrogen, which is produced via electrolysis powered by renewables, has gained traction among both governments and private investors. —Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar, produces green hydrogen. —Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 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