dialysis

noun

di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈa-lə-səs 

plural dialyses dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz 

1

: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes

especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances

2

: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein

called also hemodialysis

dialytic

ˌdī-ə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

Examples of dialysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of the 41 children in the new study received steroids, antiviral medications, intravenous immunoglobulin or a plasma exchange, which is like dialysis. Reasons for the increase in ANE cases are not known. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 30 July 2025

Doctors report the new kidney immediately made a lot of urine and there was no need for dialysis. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025

In addition to severe mental illness, Bonin had been diagnosed with kidney disease that required dialysis. —Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 21 July 2025

Waiting times depend on several things, including the length of time a patient has been on dialysis or on the transplant waitlist; blood type; where the patient lives; and their antibody levels, according to the National Kidney Foundation. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, separation, from dialyein to dissolve, from dia- + lyein to loosen — more at lose

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dialysis

• analysis
• paralysis
• cryptanalysis
• urinalysis
• electrodialysis
• haemodialysis
• hemodialysis
• microanalysis
• psychoanalysis

Kids Definition

dialysis

noun

di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈal-ə-səs 

plural dialyses -ə-ˌsēz 

1

: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size

especially : such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances

2

: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein

Medical Definition

dialysis

noun

di·​al·​y·​sis dī-ˈal-ə-səs 

plural dialyses -ˌsēz 

1

: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes

especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances

2

: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:

a

: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein

called also hemodialysis

b

: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane

called also peritoneal dialysis

dialytic

ˌdī-ə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective