oxidize

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 More fat has the potential to oxidize and spoil more rapidly. — Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, "The Ultimate DIY Guide to Making Wild Game Jerky and Snack Sticks," 4 Jan. 2021 Remove as much fat, gristle, fascia—anything but muscle—since fat and other non-muscle parts can oxidize quicker and spoil meat. — Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, "How to Preserve Your Wild Game When the Power Goes Out," 3 Dec. 2020 In the atmosphere, these phenols oxidize, gathering more oxygen, thus becoming stickier, developing over time into particles. — Matt Simon, Wired, "What Happens When You Fly a Science Plane Through Wildfire Smoke," 3 Nov. 2020 But when a bog is dried out, for agriculture or other reasons, the carbon starts to oxidize and is released as planet-warming carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. — Star Tribune, "What's green, soggy and fights climate change?," 15 Oct. 2020 But when a bog is dried out, for agriculture or other reasons, the carbon starts to oxidize and is released to the atmosphere as planet-warming carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. — New York Times, "What’s Green, Soggy and Fights Climate Change?," 9 Oct. 2020 They have been hailed as innovative expressions, and damned as flawed, oxidized, repetitive and dull. — Eric Asimov, New York Times, "The Polarizing Power of Orange Wine," 7 May 2020 Cover the jar with a coffee filter instead of a lid so the drink will oxidize. — Cole Wilson, Popular Mechanics, "Your Home Bar Needs a Smoke Gun, an Immersion Circulator, and...Milk?," 24 Apr. 2020 Both packages come with a Coravin Model One Wine System, a tool that allows you to pour wine without removing the cork, and then get an airtight seal when you’re done so the rest of the wine doesn’t oxidize before your next glass. — Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian Magazine, "These California Wineries Are Hosting Virtual Wine Tastings," 10 Apr. 2020

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

18 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxidize. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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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

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