hydrolyze

verb

hy·​dro·​lyze ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz 

hydrolyzed; hydrolyzing

transitive verb

: to subject to hydrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo hydrolysis

hydrolyzable

ˈhī-drə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Examples of hydrolyze in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Monday Haircare’s volume formula lists hydrolyzed collagen, coconut oil, shea butter and macadamia oil, according to Byrdie’s Shannon Stubbs — ingredient storytelling that mass brands rarely led with a decade ago. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

This shampoo also has hydrolyzed keratin to smooth hair and boost shine, while chelating agents will remove those hard water impurities to keep hair feeling and looking healthy. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

How It’s Made Fully broken down (hydrolyzed) from collagen for quick absorption. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 26 June 2026

Pangea’s partners mill (grind) and hydrolyze (break down using water) these pits. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin hydrolysis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for hydrolyze

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

hydrolyze

verb

hy·​dro·​lyze ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz 

hydrolyzed; hydrolyzing

: to go through or cause to go through hydrolysis

Medical Definition

hydrolyze

verb

hy·​dro·​lyze

variants or chiefly British hydrolyse

ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz 

hydrolyzed or chiefly British hydrolysed; hydrolyzing or chiefly British hydrolysing

transitive verb

: to subject to hydrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo hydrolysis

hydrolyzable adjective

or chiefly British hydrolysable

-ˌlī-zə-bəl