dehydration
Americannoun
-
the act or process of dehydrating.
-
an abnormal loss of water from the body, especially from illness or physical exertion.
-
The process of losing or removing water or moisture.
-
A condition caused by the excessive loss of water from the body, which causes a rise in blood sodium levels. Since dehydration is most often caused by excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, water loss is usually accompanied by a deficiency of electrolytes. If untreated, severe dehydration can lead to shock.
Etymology
Origin of dehydration
Explanation
Dehydration is what happens when something has water removed from it. Dehydration makes people extremely thirsty, and it can make plants grow droopy and brown. During dehydration, moisture is lost without being replaced. In humans, dehydration can happen during strenuous exercise or in extreme heat — or simply when someone doesn't drink enough water for a certain length of time. A grape becomes a raisin through dehydration, shriveling and drying as moisture is removed. Dehydration and dehydrate, first used only by scientists, have a Greek root, hydro, "water."
Vocabulary lists containing dehydration
Elements of the Universe: Hydr, Hydro ("Water")
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dry
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
hydr, hydro
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
There were constant hazards to be wary of, from polar bears to frostbite and cold-weather dehydration.
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
WASHINGTON—Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was taken to a hospital and given fluids for dehydration last month after attending a dinner in his honor in Philadelphia.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
At the time, a Price staffer said he was suffering from dehydration.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026
Byanyima told reporters that she had been told her husband was suffering from severe dehydration, and was eventually admitted to hospital after a request by his personal doctor.
From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026
Most walked around in a state of critical dehydration and malnutrition and as a result were irritable, volatile, light-headed, bleary, nauseated, gaunt, and crampy.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
