Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

electrolysis

noun elec·trol·y·sis \ i-ˌlek-ˈträ-lə-səs \
|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

  1. She had electrolysis done on her upper lip.

Recent Examples of electrolysis from the Web

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up electrolysis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cerulean

play

resembling the blue of the sky

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

electrolysis

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games