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

These old beauty standards were likely the reasons Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth underwent hairline electrolysis, a painful procedure that involves using a metal probe to zap individual hair follicles, permanently getting rid of any affected hair. —Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 19 May 2025

Depending on the exact method of electrolysis used, devices destroy the cells with a chemical energy current, heat energy current, or both.2 Many people report feeling a temporary sensation of heat or pinching during an electrolysis treatment session. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 27 Jan. 2025

That's all well and good, but producing hydrogen through processes like electrolysis consume a lot of energy too. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025

Now, Google Tells 2 Billion Users More importantly, where is the energy coming from to create the electricity for the electrolysis? —Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 15 June 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