dilution

American  

[dih-loo-shuhn, dahy-] / dɪˈlu ʃən, daɪ- /

noun

1. the act of diluting or the state of being diluted.

2. something diluted.

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dilution British  

/ daɪˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of diluting or state of being diluted

2. a diluted solution

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dilution Scientific  

/ dĭ-lo̅o̅′shən /

1. The process of making a substance less concentrated by adding a solvent, such as water.

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Other Word Forms

• antidilution
  adjective
• nondilution
  noun
• overdilution
  noun

Etymology

Origin of dilution

First recorded in 1640–50; dilute + -ion

Explanation

Dilution is when something is watered down or weakened. You might object to the dilution of your grandmother's watery iced tea. When the concentration of some substance is made weaker — often by the addition of water — it undergoes dilution. This noun shows up a lot in chemistry, but you can use it to talk about any watered down liquid. You can also describe the dilution, or weakening, of less tangible things, like the dilution of important information in an article after it's edited. The Latin root, diluere, means "dissolve or wash away."

Example Sentences

Dilution and settling address much of the concern, says Denver Water spokesperson Todd Hartman, but the utility company closely watches the issue of mine water draining into drinking water.

From Scientific American • Nov. 4, 2021

Dilution would only be considered again “if we get any other outbreaks that turn explosive,” Dr. Aylward said.

From New York Times • May 19, 2016

Dilution has become the treatment solution, an idea that drives Dufalla into fits of anger, as he mocks the waste experts’ call of dilution is the solution to pollution.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2012

Fear of Dilution Comverge is not yet in severe financial trouble, so why has Comverge fallen to the level reached only in the depths of the 2008 financial crisis? 

From Forbes • Jul. 18, 2011

Dilution, or addition of water, at once discharges the colour.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.