pyrolysis

noun

py·​rol·​y·​sis pī-ˈrä-lə-səs 

: chemical change brought about by the action of heat

pyrolytic

ˌpī-rə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

pyrolytically

ˌpī-rə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of pyrolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Biochar is made by heating organic waste at high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment, through a process called pyrolysis. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

The team analyzed 406 samples with organic molecules using pyrolysis gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025

Each facility has a pyrolysis reactor based on the Viking design that converts agricultural residues such as cashew hulls from area farms into biofuels and high-quality carbon credits for sale on international markets. —Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Another method is pyrolysis, where materials are heated in the absence of oxygen. —Joe Frank Bozeman Iii, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pyrolysis

• autolysis
• cytolysis
• glycolysis
• haemolysis
• hydrolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• thermolysis
• electrolysis
• fibrinolysis
• radiolysis
• glycogenolysis

Medical Definition

pyrolysis

noun

py·​rol·​y·​sis pī-ˈräl-ə-səs 

plural pyrolyses -ˌsēz 

: chemical change brought about by the action of heat

pyrolytic

ˌpī-rə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective