hydrolyze

verb

hy·​dro·​lyze ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
hydrolyzed; hydrolyzing

transitive verb

: to subject to hydrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo hydrolysis
hydrolyzable adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 Beef, pork and marine life are all popular sources for collagen supplements, which offer the protein in a hydrolyzed form. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 17 Oct. 2019 Soluble or hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments, does penetrate the skin, but these fragments are likely too small to do any good. Brooke Russell, Quartzy, 5 Oct. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrolyze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin hydrolysis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrolyze was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near hydrolyze

Cite this Entry

“Hydrolyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrolyze. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

hydrolyze

verb
hy·​dro·​lyze ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
hydrolyzed; hydrolyzing
: to go through or cause to go through hydrolysis

Medical Definition

hydrolyze

verb
hy·​dro·​lyze
variants or chiefly British hydrolyse
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY