detoxification

American  

[dee-tok-suh-fi-key-shuhn] / diˌtɒk sə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

Sometimes detoxication

noun

1. Biochemistry. the metabolic process by which toxins are changed into less toxic or more readily excretable substances.

2. the act of detoxifying.

3. the state of being detoxified.

4. detox.

---

Etymology

Origin of detoxification

First recorded in 1900–05; detoxi(cate) + -fication

Example Sentences

In future research, the team plans to investigate how common the methylglycosylation detoxification pathway is in different strains of Beauveria bassiana and in other fungi that infect bark beetles.

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

That could have included residential rehabilitation, community-based treatment, detoxification, substitute prescriptions or any other treatment recommended by a health professional.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

Nobody knows how people first cracked the problem, but ancient Amazonians devised a complex, multistep process of detoxification that transforms cassava from inedible to delicious.

From Salon • May 6, 2024

The rounds of tea-washing focused, respectively, on detoxification, rejuvenation and stress relief, nourishment and calming, repairing PH balance and hair loss prevention.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

The detoxification is accomplished by one of the enzymes of the liver.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson