bleaching

[blee-ching]

noun

1. the application of bleach or another chemical agent to something in order to whiten, lighten, clean, or disinfect.

   Bleaching is not recommended for this fabric.

   She gives her kitchen countertops a weekly bleaching.

2. the process of becoming whiter or lighter in color, such as by prolonged exposure to sunlight, the application of chemicals, or other means.

   The bleaching of animal bones in the desert is a well-known phenomenon.

3. a loss of color in coral that indicates declining health: caused by a loss of the algae that normally live symbiotically in the coral's tissues.

4. Photography.,  the conversion of the silver image of a negative or print to a silver halide, either to remove the image or to change its tone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleaching¹

First recorded in 1550–60, bleaching for def. 1; 1970–75, bleaching for def. 3; bleach ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Coral Reefs: Across tropical regions, coral reefs are suffering record mortality due to repeated bleaching events.

Read more on Science Daily

Some gels contain more than 500 times the legal limit of bleaching agent for over-the-counter products, and are being handed over in car parks and on doorsteps.

Read more on BBC

According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify fires.

Read more on BBC

In the intervening years, ocean temperatures have soared to historic highs, and the biggest and most intense coral bleaching episode ever witnessed has spread to more than 80 percent of the world's reefs.

Read more on Barron's

Warmer seas have also caused mass bleaching at its world-famous Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

Read more on BBC