electrolysis

noun

elec·​trol·​y·​sis i-ˌlek-ˈträ-lə-səs How to pronounce electrolysis (audio)
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 Looking further ahead to 2026, the sport will also switch to carbon-neutral synthetic fuels that are made by capturing CO2 from the air and combining it with hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2023 In a conventional design called an alkaline electrolysis cell, nonconducting bubbles can form on the anode and cathode, reducing the surface area for the chemical reaction and making the process less efficient. Ed Ballard, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022 Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe and widely available simply by splitting water through a process called electrolysis. John Rossant, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2023 The 51-year-old operation uses a process called electrolysis to split the salts in the Great Salt Lake into their atomic components, including sodium, potassium, magnesium and chlorine. Emma Penrod, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Aug. 2023 There is another way to make hydrogen, and that is by splitting water molecules in electrolysis. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 July 2023 Your lipstick hears that electrolysis doesn’t hurt too much. Audrey Burges, The New Yorker, 5 July 2023 The first is by utilizing renewable hydroelectricity to power electrolysis, while the second is via autothermal reforming with carbon capture. Gurufocus, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 That ice could provide water to drink and, after undergoing electrolysis, oxygen to breathe. John Landreneau, IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electrolysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of electrolysis was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near electrolysis

Cite this Entry

“Electrolysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electrolysis. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

electrolysis

noun
elec·​trol·​y·​sis i-ˌlek-ˈträl-ə-səs How to pronounce electrolysis (audio)
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 How to pronounce electrolysis (audio)
plural electrolyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce electrolysis (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on electrolysis

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