pasteurization

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

|Updated on: 19 Jul 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

Some argue that milk loses nutrients during pasteurization, but this is patently false.

— david j. neal, charlotteobserver, "Nine things a food safety lawyer won’t eat, at home or in a restaurant," 6 July 2018
Variations come with the strains of bacteria a cheese maker selects, along with fat content, pasteurization, salt and time.

— New York Times, "A Guide to Soft Fresh Cheeses: Cottage Cheese, Mascarpone and More," 26 June 2018
Some argue that milk loses nutrients during pasteurization, but this is patently false.

— david j. neal, ajc, "Nine things this top food safety lawyer won’t eat at home or in a restaurant," 26 June 2018
Despite the mounting scientific evidence, pasteurization still spread slowly.

— daniel fernandez, Smithsonian, "The Surprisingly Intolerant History of Milk," 11 May 2018
The scientist Louis Pasteur, known for his breakthroughs in pasteurization, is said to have celebrated his acceptance into the Académie Française by drinking 1774 vin jaune in 1881.

— sarah gray, Fortune, "Last Three Bottles of a French Family's 1774 Wine Are Up for Auction," 10 May 2018
Pasteur invented pasteurization and vaccines for rabies and anthrax and discovered that many diseases are caused by invisible germs.

— jason pontin, WIRED, "The 19th-Century Crank Who Tried to Tell Us About the Microbiome," 15 June 2018
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

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

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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)