oxygenate

1 of 2

verb

ox·​y·​gen·​ate ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt  äk-ˈsi-jə- 

oxygenated; oxygenating

transitive verb

: to impregnate, combine, or supply (something, such as blood) with oxygen

oxygenation

ˌäk-si-jə-ˈnā-shən 

äk-ˌsi-jə-

noun

oxygenate

2 of 2

noun

: an oxygen-containing substance (such as ethanol) used especially in gasoline to promote more complete combustion

Examples of oxygenate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The storm cut power to the shrimp operation in Kauai, which depends on aeration systems to keep its pond water oxygenated, according to Hawaii News Now. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Many of the resulting news stories, in Ruff’s view, wrongly credited the metal lumps with oxygenating the atmosphere or helping give rise to life. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

In contrast, lower-temperature smoldering wildfires release a different mix of compounds, but it is still enriched with toxic aromatic oxygenates and ammonia, which can irritate the respiratory system. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Gasoline futures are known as RBOB, or reformulated blendstock for oxygenate blending. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1788, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oxygenate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

oxygenate

verb

ox·​y·​gen·​ate

ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt, 

äk-ˈsij-ə-

oxygenated; oxygenating

: to combine or supply with oxygen

oxygenation

ˌäk-si-jə-ˈnā-shən, 

äk-ˌsij-ə-

noun

Medical Definition

oxygenate

transitive verb

ox·​y·​gen·​ate ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt  äk-ˈsij-ə- 

oxygenated; oxygenating

: to impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen

oxygenated blood

better to oxygenate the patient first

—Anesthesia Digest

oxygenation

ˌäk-si-jə-ˈnā-shən, äk-ˌsij-ə- 

noun