oxidation

American  

[ok-si-day-shuhn] / ɒk sɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

Also oxidization

noun

Chemistry.

1. the process or result of oxidizing.

2. the deposit that forms on the surface of a metal as it oxidizes.

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oxidation British  

/ ˌɒksɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the act or process of oxidizing

   2. ( as modifier )

      an oxidation state

      an oxidation potential

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oxidation Scientific  

/ ŏk′sĭ-dā′shən /

1. The chemical combination of a substance with oxygen.

2. 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.

3. Compare reduction

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oxidation Cultural  

1. Any chemical reaction in which a material gives up electrons, as when the material combines with oxygen. Burning is an example of rapid oxidation; rusting is an example of slow oxidation. (See combustion and reduction.)

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Other Word Forms

• nonoxidation
  noun
• nonoxidization
  noun
• overoxidization
  noun
• reoxidation
  noun
• self-oxidation
  noun
• nonoxidative
  adjective
• oxidational
  adjective
• oxidative
  adjective
• unoxidative
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of oxidation

First recorded in 1785–95; oxide + -ation

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Explanation

An apple gone brown on the counter or a penny turned green over years have both gone through the process of oxidation, or exposure to air, which changes their properties — including color. Oxidation is a word used to describe what happens when metal rusts or starts to disintegrate over time with exposure to air. But the process of oxidation — a word that looks very much like the word oxygen — isn't limited only to metals. Bananas turn brown over time because of the oxidation process. If you see an old car crumbling from all its rust, it's seen its fair share of the oxidation process.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oxidation

Instead, the effect was traced to fatty acid oxidation, the process intestinal cells use to burn dietary fat for energy.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

A pre-formed pure-phase NiO catalyst showed no POM activity and instead catalyzed only the complete oxidation of methane.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

When PPARδ signaling is active, it promotes fatty acid oxidation and helps limit the accumulation of lipids inside cells.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026

Water oxidation, an essential reaction during electrolysis, requires a substantially higher potential of about ~1600 mV.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

The epoxide is popularly described as “an oxidation product” produced by weathering.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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Related Words

• decay
• decomposition
• deterioration
• erosion
• rust

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