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

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

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Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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