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carbonation

American  
[kahr-buh-nay-shuhn] / ˌkɑr bəˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. saturation with carbon dioxide, as in making soda water.

  2. reaction with carbon dioxide to remove lime, as in sugar refining.

  3. carbonization.


carbonation British  
/ ˌkɑːbəˈneɪʃən /

noun

  1. absorption of or reaction with carbon dioxide

  2. another word for carbonization See carbonization

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of carbonation

First recorded in 1650–60; carbonate + -ion


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Coke instructed its technicians to conduct regular quality reviews of McDonald’s equipment, scrutinizing everything from temperature to carbonation levels.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

"In addition to bitter taste, it also affects savory, salt, sweet, and sour tastes. However, AF-353 only blocks taste. Other oral sensations like the tingle from carbonation were not affected."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2024

After concrete is made, it gradually absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in a process called carbonation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2024

Today, most commercial beers, soft drinks, seltzers and sparkling waters are created by "forced" carbonation.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2023

The drink has a cidery flavor to it, and the carbonation crackles in my throat.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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