oxidize

verb

ox·i·dize | \ ˈäk-sə-ˌdīz

oxidized; oxidizing

Definition of oxidize

1 : to combine with oxygen Other chemicals then oxidize the sulfur dioxide to form sulfuric acid, which along with the nitric acid increases the acidity of the dewdrop.— R. Monastersky Should the cork be allowed to dry out, it will shrink and allow air to seep in and oxidize the wine.— Peter D. Meltzer

2 : to dehydrogenate especially by the action of oxygen oxidize an alcohol to an aldehyde

3 : to change (a compound) by increasing the proportion of the electronegative part or change (an element or ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence What mix of products is formed is a function of the electrode potential used to oxidize the chloride ion. — Chemical & Engineering News : remove one or more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule) oxidize metallic copper to ionic copper

intransitive verb

: to become oxidized Fats can either oxidize (combine with oxygen) or hydrolyze (combine with water) to become rancid.— Shirley Corriher Silver does not oxidize, or rust, on exposure to air. In fact, compared with most other elements, it is not particularly reactive.— C. Claiborne Ray

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Examples of oxidize in a Sentence

The paint oxidizes and discolors rapidly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wines can become oxidized through poor storage, from dried out corks and warm temperatures. — Dave Mcintyre, Washington Post, "The fault in our glass: How imperfections can enhance some wines — and even make them memorable," 28 June 2019 Plus, there is some research to suggest that squalene, when oxidized, naturally plays a role in the formation of acne—why add more? — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "What the Heck Is Squalane Oil and Why Is It Suddenly in All My Skin-Care Products?," 20 June 2019 French chemist Eugene Schueller based his 1907 hair color invention on PPD, which, when oxidized, turned the hair black. — Longreads, "True Roots," 5 June 2019 White and gray hair are also more likely to oxidize, looking yellow and tarnished. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, "How to Properly Take Care of Graying Hair," 4 June 2019 Chemical sunscreens usually have ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone that can oxidize and become less effective over time. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Does Sunscreen Expire? And Every Other Question You’ve Had About SPF, Answered," 14 May 2019 Over time this film is destroyed by UV rays, allowing the plastic to oxidize. — Zachary Palmer, Popular Mechanics, "How to Clean Your Headlights and Make Them Shine Like New," 2 Aug. 2018 And then, of course, the foundation itself has to be good—long-wearing, blendable, with shades that don't oxidize or develop weird undertones. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "We Put Beautyblender's New Bounce Liquid Foundation To The Test," 20 July 2018 Because copper is often found in water, the metal can mix with the chlorine and oxidize your hair, causing it to actually turn green. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "20 Things You Should Know Before Coloring Your Hair for the First Time," 8 Nov. 2018

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

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Last Updated

15 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for oxidize

The first known use of oxidize was in 1802

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More Definitions for oxidize

oxidize

verb

English Language Learners Definition of oxidize

: to become combined with oxygen

See the full definition for oxidize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

oxidize

verb

ox·i·dize | \ ˈäk-sə-ˌdīz

oxidized; oxidizing

Kids Definition of oxidize

: to combine or become combined with oxygen The various metals will oxidize at different rates. Iron oxidizes to form rust.

oxidize

verb

ox·i·dize

variants: also British oxidise \ ˈäk-sə-ˌdīz

oxidized also British oxidised; oxidizing also British oxidising

Medical Definition of oxidize

transitive verb

1 : to combine with oxygen

2 : to dehydrogenate especially by the action of oxygen

3 : to change (a compound) by increasing the proportion of the electronegative part or change (an element or ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence : remove one or more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule)

intransitive verb

: to become oxidized