liquefaction

noun

liq·​ue·​fac·​tion ˌli-kwə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the process of making or becoming liquid

2

: the state of being liquid

3

: conversion of soil into a fluidlike mass during an earthquake or other seismic event

Examples of liquefaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many Sulawesi residents are haunted by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that devastated Palu in 2018, setting off a 10-foot high tsunami and a phenomenon called liquefaction in which soil collapses into itself. — Mohammad Taufan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026

The most severe damage would occur near the fault and in areas built on soft or water-saturated soils, which can amplify shaking and increase the risk of liquefaction. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 13 June 2026

For Qatar, which exports around a fifth of global LNG supply, a Hormuz workaround would entail not only building an expensive pipeline infrastructure but also investing in liquefaction facilities at ports to turn pipeline gas into LNG to be shipped around the world. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin liquefaction-, liquefactio, from Latin liquefacere, from liquēre to be fluid + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for liquefaction

• benefaction
• counteraction
• interaction
• putrefaction
• rarefaction
• satisfaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction

Medical Definition

liquefaction

noun

liq·​ue·​fac·​tion ˌlik-wə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the process of making or becoming liquid

2

: the state of being liquid