evaporation

noun

evap·​o·​ra·​tion i-ˌva-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce evaporation (audio)
: the act or process of evaporating:
a
: change from a liquid to a vapor
evaporation of water
But warming increases the evaporation of ocean water, which could increase the snowfall on the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, remove water from the ocean, and lower sea level.Jack M. Hollander
b
: the vanishing or disappearance of something
The pope's attempt to arrest the evaporation of the Christian tradition in Europe was also unsuccessful.Conrad Black
No longer a machine that accelerates the evaporation of resources, in the Roman context the banquet becomes a theatre of wealth and property, of social distinction, or social-climbing.James N. Davidson

Examples of evaporation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As with soaker hoses, drip irrigation systems can be covered with mulch to minimize evaporation or runoff. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 5 July 2025 Fuel System Issues: High temperatures can increase fuel evaporation and potentially cause vapor lock in older vehicles, which disrupts engine performance. Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025 That trend also increases evaporation, fueling more rain that washes pollution like chemicals, dog poop and trash into canals and Biscayne Bay. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025 Second, climate change will increase statewide evaporation and shrink the seasonal build-up of snowpack that our water system relies on. Jay Lund, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for evaporation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evaporation was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Evaporation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaporation. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

evaporation

noun
evap·​o·​ra·​tion
i-ˌvap-ə-ˈrā-shən
: the process of evaporating

Medical Definition

evaporation

noun
evap·​o·​ra·​tion i-ˌvap-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce evaporation (audio)
: the change by which any substance is converted from a liquid state into and carried off in vapor
specifically : the conversion of a liquid into vapor in order to remove it wholly or partly from a liquid of higher boiling point or from solids dissolved in or mixed with it
evaporate verb
evaporated; evaporating
evaporator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on evaporation

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