pasteurization

noun pas·teur·i·za·tion \ ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən , ˌpas-tyə- , -tə- \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of pasteurization

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

See pasteurization defined for English-language learners

See pasteurization defined for kids

Recent Examples of pasteurization from the Web

Over time the reference to the creator of pasteurization was dropped from the phrase (sorry, Louie) and it was reduced to the numbers.

— weldon b. johnson, azcentral, "Wait, what? . . . Oh yeah, it's 420 . . . why do we call it that anyway?," 19 Apr. 2018
In 1908, Chicago passed the first law making pasteurization of milk a legal requirement.

— mark kurlansky, Time, "Why We've Been Fighting About Milk for 10,000 Years," 7 May 2018
Just look for jars with labels that say raw or unpasteurized, since the heat of pasteurization kills the good bacteria, Gans says.

— marygrace taylor, Woman's Day, "These 10 Foods Are Cheaper and Healthier Than Pricey 'Superfoods'," 24 Nov. 2014
But no standards or conditions short of requiring pasteurization of the herdshare milk could ensure its safety—which the department couldn’t do.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Raw milk is trending for some reason—so are nasty, drug-resistant infections," 11 Feb. 2018
There are, for instance, semi-professorial studies in the history and uses of pasteurization, pre-made vs. homemade ice cream base, and dry milk powder.

— adam ried, WSJ, "The Scoop on Ice Cream," 25 Aug. 2017
Most milk in the U.S. is fortified, homogenized, and pasteurized, and that’s a good thing, as pasteurization greatly reduces the risk of foodborne illness.

— jenny splitter, The Cut, "‘Processed Food’ Gets an Unfair Bad Rap," 10 Oct. 2017
Cloverleaf held the distinction of being the first of the dairies in Northwest Indiana to build a modern pasteurization plant.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Memories of Gary's home delivery dairies remain," 22 Sep. 2017
There is no threat to human health, because pasteurization kills the bacteria in milk.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "U.K. expands kill zone for badgers in fight against bovine TB, sparking controversy," 12 Sep. 2017

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

First Known Use of pasteurization

1886

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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PASTEURIZATION Defined for English Language Learners

pasteurization

noun

Definition of pasteurization for English Language Learners

: a process in which a liquid (such as milk or cream) is heated to a temperature that kills harmful germs and then cooled quickly

PASTEURIZATION Defined for Kids

pasteurization

noun pas·teur·i·za·tion \ ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən , ˌpa-stə- \

Definition of pasteurization for Students

: the process of heating a liquid to a temperature to kill germs and then rapidly cooling it

Medical Dictionary

pasteurization

noun pas·teur·iza·tion

variants: also British pasteurisation play \ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə-\

medical Definition of pasteurization

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)