electrolysis

noun elec·trol·y·sis \ i-ˌlek-ˈträ-lə-səs \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of electrolysis

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

See electrolysis defined for English-language learners

See electrolysis defined for kids

Examples of electrolysis in a Sentence

She had electrolysis done on her upper lip.

Recent Examples of electrolysis from the Web

On a recent Friday morning, a chlorine smell floated through the pilot site, a telltale sign of the electrolysis process used to produce magnesium.

— sandrine rastello and natalie obiko pearson, chicagotribune.com, "Town built on asbestos may find new life in by-product of deadly mineral," 20 Mar. 2018
On a recent Friday morning, a chlorine smell floated through the pilot site, a telltale sign of the electrolysis process used to produce magnesium.

— sandrine rastello and natalie obiko pearson, chicagotribune.com, "Town built on asbestos may find new life in by-product of deadly mineral," 20 Mar. 2018
The Columbia scientists say their device, called a floating photovoltaic electrolyzer, eliminates that consequence by instead utilizing electrolysis to separate oxygen and hydrogen in water molecules, and then storing the latter for use as fuel.

— randy rieland, Smithsonian, "Could Giant “Solar Rigs” Floating On the Ocean Convert Seawater To Hydrogen Fuel?," 11 Jan. 2018
On a recent Friday morning, a chlorine smell floated through the pilot site, a telltale sign of the electrolysis process used to produce magnesium.

— sandrine rastello, Bloomberg.com, "Magnesium May Save the Town of Asbestos," 7 Mar. 2018
Rounding out the top 10 was more waxing, including: upper lip waxing (3.11), nose job (3.09), leg waxing (2.98), arm waxing (2.93), electrolysis (2.88), liposuction (2.87) and eyeliner tattooing (2.81).

— michael gollust, Health.com, "The Top 10 Most Painful Beauty Treatments, Ranked," 20 Oct. 2017
Alternatively, it can be made directly by splitting water into its constituents using electrolysis.

— The Economist, "Difference EngineElectric vehicles powered by fuel-cells get a second look," 25 Sep. 2017
Excess power from wind or photovoltaics would drive electrolysis, separating water into its component hydrogen and oxygen elements.

— anna hirtenstein, Bloomberg.com, "Big Energy Backs Hydrogen Power Storage," 5 Sep. 2017
There are more long-lasting options, like electrolysis.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "The Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Removal," 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'electrolysis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of electrolysis

1834

ELECTROLYSIS Defined for English Language Learners

electrolysis

noun

Definition of electrolysis for English Language Learners

: the process of removing unwanted hair by killing the hair root with an electric current
chemistry : the process of separating a liquid into its different chemical parts by passing an electric current through it

ELECTROLYSIS Defined for Kids

electrolysis

noun elec·trol·y·sis \ i-ˌlek-ˈträ-lə-səs \

Definition of electrolysis for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

electrolysis

noun elec·trol·y·sis \ i-ˌlek-ˈträl-ə-səs \

medical Definition of electrolysis

plural electrolyses play \-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

Learn More about electrolysis

Spanish Central: Translation of electrolysis Nglish: Translation of electrolysis for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about electrolysis

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electrolysis

Definition of electrolysis

Examples of electrolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples of electrolysis from the Web

First Known Use of electrolysis

ELECTROLYSIS Defined for English Language Learners

electrolysis

Definition of electrolysis for English Language Learners

ELECTROLYSIS Defined for Kids

electrolysis

Definition of electrolysis for Students

Medical Dictionary

electrolysis

medical Definition of electrolysis

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electrolysis

Definition of electrolysis

Examples of electrolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples of electrolysis from the Web

First Known Use of electrolysis

ELECTROLYSIS Defined for English Language Learners

electrolysis

Definition of electrolysis for English Language Learners

ELECTROLYSIS Defined for Kids

electrolysis

Definition of electrolysis for Students

Medical Dictionary

electrolysis

medical Definition of electrolysis

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