hydrolysis

noun

hy·​dro·​ly·​sis hī-ˈdrä-lə-səs 

: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water

hydrolytic

ˌhī-drə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

hydrolytically

ˌhī-drə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of hydrolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alkaline hydrolysis — using water for cremation Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition. —Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026

The sustainable funeral arrangement has prompted the Law Commission to consider similar regulatory frameworks for both hydrolysis and human composting across England and Wales. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026

When metabolized by the beetles, the spruce sugars are removed through hydrolysis, converting them into aglycones that are even more toxic to microscopic invaders. —Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 1 Feb. 2026

Partially broken down from collagen through hydrolysis. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrolysis

• alkaline hydrolysis

Rhymes for hydrolysis

• autolysis
• cytolysis
• glycolysis
• haemolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• pyrolysis
• thermolysis
• electrolysis
• fibrinolysis
• radiolysis
• glycogenolysis

Kids Definition

hydrolysis

noun

hy·​drol·​y·​sis

hī-ˈdräl-ə-səs

: a process of breaking down a chemical compound that involves splitting a bond and adding the elements of water to the resulting molecular fragments

Medical Definition

hydrolysis

noun

hy·​dro·​ly·​sis hī-ˈdräl-ə-səs, ˌhī-drə-ˈlī- 

: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water

hydrolytic

ˌhī-drə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective

hydrolytically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb