alkaline hydrolysis

American

[al-kuh-lahyn-hahy-drahl-uh-sis, al-kuh-lin] / ˈæl kəˌlaɪn haɪˈdrɑl ə sɪs, ˈæl kəˌlɪn /

noun

the process of reducing a dead body to an ash-like substance by placing the remains in a heated mixture of water and potassium hydroxide.

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.

Water cremation, also called alkaline hydrolysis, involves the body being placed in a chamber and broken down by a combination of water, heat and a strong alkali.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2023

The low-impact act of dissolving a body in a mixture of water and potassium hydroxide, called alkaline hydrolysis, is now allowed in 20 states.

From Slate • Oct. 31, 2022

He’s excited about green burial and alkaline hydrolysis, choices that are better for the environment.

From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2022

According to The Associated Press, alkaline hydrolysis is available in at least 19 states.

From Washington Times • May 28, 2019

But Sen. Pedersen is sponsoring an attempt to rewrite state code to allow for recomposition, as well as alkaline hydrolysis.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 26, 2018

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023