oxidize

[ ok-si-dahyz ]
See synonyms for: oxidizeoxidizedoxidizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ox·i·dized, ox·i·diz·ing.
  1. to convert (an element) into an oxide; combine with oxygen.

  2. to cover with a coating of oxide or rust.

  1. to take away hydrogen, as by the action of oxygen; add oxygen or any nonmetal.

  2. to remove electrons from (an atom or molecule), thereby increasing the valence.: Compare reduce (def. 12).

verb (used without object),ox·i·dized, ox·i·diz·ing.
  1. to become oxidized.

  2. (especially of white wine) to lose freshness after prolonged exposure to air and often to darken in color.

Origin of oxidize

1
First recorded in 1795–1805; oxide + -ize
  • Also especially British, ox·i·dise .

Other words from oxidize

  • ox·i·diz·a·ble, ox·i·da·ble [ok-si-duh-buhl], /ˈɒk sɪ də bəl/, adjective
  • ox·i·diz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • an·ti·ox·i·diz·ing, adjective
  • half-ox·i·dized, adjective
  • non·ox·i·diz·a·ble, adjective
  • non·ox·i·diz·ing, adjective
  • o·ver·ox·i·dize, verb o·ver·ox·i·dized, o·ver·ox·i·diz·ing.
  • re·ox·i·dize, verb, re·ox·i·dized, re·ox·i·diz·ing.
  • un·der·ox·i·dize, verb (used with object), un·der·ox·i·dized, un·der·ox·i·diz·ing.
  • un·ox·i·diz·a·ble, adjective
  • un·ox·i·dized, adjective

Words Nearby oxidize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use oxidize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for oxidize

oxidize

oxidise

/ (ˈɒksɪˌdaɪz) /


verb
  1. to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen, as in formation of an oxide

  2. to form or cause to form a layer of metal oxide, as in rusting

  1. to lose or cause to lose hydrogen atoms

  2. to undergo or cause to undergo a decrease in the number of electrons: Compare reduce (def. 12c)

Derived forms of oxidize

  • oxidization or oxidisation, noun

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

Scientific definitions for oxidize

oxidize

[ ŏksĭ-dīz′ ]


  1. To undergo or cause to undergo oxidation.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.