pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tyə-,

-tə-

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

Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its grass-fed, low-heat pasteurization dairy to make its gelato is sourced from Amish farmers who produce the milk for Dolcezza. —Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Widespread pasteurization made the beverage more easily transportable and far safer to drink. —HubSpot, 2 May 2025

Spock confidently asserted that pasteurization had made such suffering a thing of the past. — Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025

Laura Gómez: Evangelina’s insistence on pasteurization was life-saving. —Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pasteurization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tə-

: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition

Medical Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​iza·​tion

variants also British pasteurisation

ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə- 

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)