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Showing results for decaffeinate. Search instead for Decaffeinating.

decaffeinate

American  
[dee-kaf-uh-nayt, -kaf-ee-uh-] / diˈkæf əˌneɪt, -ˈkæf i ə- /

verb (used with object)

decaffeinated, decaffeinating
  1. to extract caffeine from.

    to decaffeinate coffee.


decaffeinate British  
/ dɪˈkæfɪˌneɪt /

verb

  1. (tr) to remove all or part of the caffeine from (coffee, tea, etc)

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of decaffeinate

First recorded in 1925–30; de- + caffein + -ate 1


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.

See Examples For:

The Swiss water method, initially used commercially in the early 1980s, uses hot water to decaffeinate coffee.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

After producers decaffeinate coffee beans using methylene chloride, they steam the beans and dry them.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

I found a natural way to decaffeinate a tea: steep for 30 seconds, then toss out the liquid and brew the same tea bag in fresh hot water.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2023

Founded by Andy Liu, Decafino makes a teabag-like product that can 80 percent decaffeinate any 16-ounce cup of coffee in less than four minutes.

From Slate ● Jan. 11, 2023

Since the early 1900s, many methods have been used to decaffeinate coffee.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

New research suggests that both regular and decaffeinated coffee can alter the gut microbiome and may influence mood, stress, memory, and attention through the gut brain connection.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

Coffee was then reintroduced without participants knowing whether they were receiving caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

After the abstinence phase, coffee was gradually reintroduced without participants knowing whether they were drinking caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

From Science Daily ● May 3, 2026

All these methods, which are also used to make decaffeinated tea, start with green, or unroasted, coffee beans that have been premoistened.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

If the patient is older and has been accustomed to tea and coffee, one cup of coffee in the morning may be allowed, provided a decaffeinated coffee is not found satisfactory.

From Disturbances of the Heart by Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas) Osborne

Another makes acetic anhydride, a key ingredient of aspirin, and the third makes ethyl acetate, which is used as a solvent and for decaffeinating tea and coffee.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Producers decaffeinating their coffee want to remove the caffeine while retaining all – or at least most – of the other chemical aroma and flavor compounds.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

Shortly thereafter, California Assemblymember Eloise Reyes proposed new legislation that would expressly prohibit a “person or entity from using methylene chloride in the process of decaffeinating coffee” starting in 2027.

From Salon ● Mar. 16, 2024

And of course, living in California, I couldn’t help but hear about a new West Coast startup company focused on decaffeinating coffee after it has been pulled or poured.

From Slate ● Jan. 11, 2023

This could be done through genetic engineering of the tobacco plant or chemical extraction after the fact — a similar process to decaffeinating coffee beans.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 31, 2017

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