chromatography

American  

[kroh-muh-tog-ruh-fee] / ˌkroʊ məˈtɒg rə fi /

noun

Chemistry.

1. the separation of mixtures into their constituents by preferential adsorption by a solid, as a column of silica column chromatography or a strip of filter paper paper chromatography, or by a liquid.

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chromatography British  

/ ˌkrəʊmətəˈɡræfɪk, ˌkrəʊməˈtɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the technique of separating and analysing the components of a mixture of liquids or gases by selective adsorption in, for example, a column of powder ( column chromatography ) or on a strip of paper ( paper chromatography ) See also gas chromatography

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chromatography Scientific  

/ krō′mə-tŏg′rə-fē /

1. A technique used to separate the components of a chemical mixture by moving the mixture along a stationary material, such as gelatin. Different components of the mixture are caught by the material at different rates and form isolated bands that can then be analyzed.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• chromatographically
  adverb
• chromatographic
  adjective
• chromatographer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chromatography

First recorded in 1725–35; chromato- + -graphy

Example Sentences

The segments are broken up or mixed with solvents before being put through a chromatography process.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Researchers developed a modified QuEChERS method using Z Sep⁺ clean up and gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

The researchers used a technique called gas chromatography to separate the different smells inside the sarcophagus that combined to make its scent.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

The researchers used a wire coil to externally apply a magnetic field to a glass chromatography column filled with stacked disks of stainless-steel mesh.

From Science Daily • Feb. 29, 2024

Gas chromatography of air samples might reveal blips of difference between substances released over a Glasgow football match, a committee meeting on academic promotions, and a summer beach on Saturday afternoon, all highly important.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas