Oxidation meaning

ŏk'sĭ-dā'shən
Oxidation is the process when oxygen combines with an element, changing the appearance of the element.

When iron reacts with oxygen and changes to rust, this is an example of oxidation.

When fire burns up a wooden log, this is an example of oxidation.

noun
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(chemistry) A reaction in which the atoms of an element lose electrons and the oxidation state of the element increases.
noun
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A chemical reaction in which an atom or ion loses electrons, thus undergoing an increase in valence. Removing an electron from an iron atom having a valence of +2 changes the valence to +3.
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A reaction in which the atoms of an element lose electrons and the valence of the element is correspondingly increased.
noun
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The process of increasing the positive valence or of decreasing the negative valence of an element or ion.
noun
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Any process in which oxygen combines with an element or substance, either slowly, as in the rusting of iron, or rapidly, as in the burning of wood.
noun
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The combination of a substance with oxygen.
noun
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The process by which electrons are removed from atoms or ions.
noun
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The chemical combination of a substance with oxygen.
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The combination of a substance with oxygen.
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Origin of oxidation

French from oxider to oxidize from oxide oxide oxide

Sentence Examples

  • In practice this oxidation process is continued until the whole of the oxygen is as nearly as possible equal in weight to the sulphur present as sulphide or as sulphate, i.e.

  • It is very hygroscopic, dissolves readily in water, and rapidly undergoes oxidation on exposure to air.

  • On reduction glucose appears to yield the hexahydric alcohol d-sorbite, and on oxidation d-gluconic and d-saccharic acids.

  • During recent years an immense number of ringed or cyclic compounds have been discovered, which exhibit individual characters more closely resembling benzene, naphthalene, &c. than purely aliphatic substances, inasmuch as in general they contain double linkages, yet withstand oxidation, and behave as nuclei, forming derivatives in much the same way as benzene.

  • Its universal disintegration and waste by oxidation; and its concomitant reintegration by the intussusception of new matter.

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Words near oxidation in the Dictionary