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

The aim is to significantly increase the power density and efficiency of water electrolysis to produce green hydrogen based on noble metal-free catalysts in comparison to current systems. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026

Emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf and sediment of electrolysis on canvas. —Mark Whitaker, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

Someone else’s electrolysis is my bikini-line shaving. —Caroline Rothstein, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025

Currently, most hydrogen comes from fossil fuels, and while water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, that requires a significant amount of electricity. —Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 17 Dec. 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