iontophoresis

noun

ion·​to·​pho·​re·​sis (ˌ)ī-ˌän-tə-fə-ˈrē-səs 

plural iontophoreses (ˌ)ī-ˌän-tə-fə-ˈrē-ˌsēz 

: the introduction of an ionized substance (such as a drug) through intact skin by the application of a direct electric current

iontophoretic

(ˌ)ī-ˌän-tə-fə-ˈre-tik 

adjective

iontophoretically

(ˌ)ī-ˌän-tə-fə-ˈre-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of iontophoresis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using iontophoresis, the device delivers either a saline solution for electrical stimulation or a fluoxetine drug solution. — Diya Dwarakanath, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Nov. 2025

So Yiming Liu of City University of Hong Kong and co-authors opted to work with iontophoresis, in which stable taste feedback is achieved by using ions flowing through biologically safe hydrogels to transport flavor chemicals. — Ars Technica, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Iontophorese, from ionto-, combining form representing Ion ion (borrowed from Greek iont-, iṓn, present participle of iénai "to go") + -o- -o- + -phorese -phoresis — more at issue entry 1

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for iontophoresis

• cytokinesis
• diaphoresis
• paracentesis
• plasmapheresis
• amniocentesis
• spondylolisthesis
• diathesis
• enuresis
• metathesis
• pollicis
• rhesus
• thesis

Medical Definition

iontophoresis

noun

ion·​to·​pho·​re·​sis (ˌ)ī-ˌänt-ə-fə-ˈrē-səs 

plural iontophoreses -ˌsēz 

: the introduction of an ionized substance (as a drug) through intact skin by the application of a direct electric current

iontophorese

-ˈrēs 

transitive verb

iontophoresed; iontophoresing

iontophoretic

-ˈret-ik 

adjective

iontophoretically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb