distillation

Distillation is defined as a refining process that collects the pure liquid or vapors given off by heating and then cooling a mixture.

(noun)

An example of distillation is how vodka is made from a grain.

See distillation in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a distilling; specif., the process of first heating a mixture to separate the more volatile from the less volatile parts, and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a more nearly pure or refined substance
anything distilled; distillate

See distillation in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The evaporation and subsequent collection of a liquid by condensation as a means of purification: the distillation of water.
The extraction of the volatile components of a mixture by the condensation and collection of the vapors that are produced as the mixture is heated: petroleum distillation.
A distillate.

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