pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tyə-,

-tə-

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance

2

: irradiation of food products

Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Things to do in the Jura In Arbois itself, consider a visit to Louis Pasteur’s house, where the 19th-century French scientist lived and worked in his private laboratory, experimenting with vaccines and pasteurization. —Eleanor Aldridge, AFAR Media, 31 July 2025

This period brought significant cultural shifts and scientific discoveries — for instance, the Civil War and the pasteurization of milk. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 27 Mar. 2025

The pasteurization process cannot remove patulin from the affected product, the FDA says. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Apr. 2025

Contaminated milk can contain high levels of virus before pasteurization. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pasteurization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tə-

: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition

Medical Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​iza·​tion

variants also British pasteurisation

ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə- 

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms

2

: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)