pasteurize

verb

pas·​teur·​ize ˈpas-chə-ˌrīz  ˈpas-tyə-  -tə- 

pasteurized; pasteurizing

transitive verb

: to subject to pasteurization

pasteurizer noun

Examples of pasteurize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Be careful with fresh juices in places such as farmer's markets, road stands, and some juice bars, as these may not be pasteurized. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2026

But most apple cider vinegar sold in stores is pasteurized, meaning it has been heated in a way that destroys those probiotics, Ehsani says. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026

Raw milk products are made from dairy that hasn’t been pasteurized, a process that heats it enough to destroy bacteria. —Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026

When milk is not pasteurized, any bacteria present can remain in the final product. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Louis Pasteur

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pasteurize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

pasteurize

verb

pas·​teur·​ize ˈpas-chə-ˌrīz  ˈpas-tə- 

pasteurized; pasteurizing

: to expose to pasteurization

pasteurizer noun

Etymology

named for Louis Pasteur 1822–1895 French chemist

Medical Definition

pasteurize

transitive verb

pas·​teur·​ize

variants also British pasteurise

ˈpas-chə-ˌrīz  ˈpas-tə- 

pasteurized also British pasteurised; pasteurizing also British pasteurising

: to subject to pasteurization

pasteurizer noun

also British pasteuriser