evaporation

American  

[ih-vap-uh-rey-shuhn] / ɪˌvæp əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of evaporating.

2. the state of being evaporated.

3. Archaic. matter or the quantity of matter evaporated or passed off in vapor.

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evaporation Scientific  

/ ĭ-văp′ə-rā′shən /

1. The change of a liquid into a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point. Evaporation takes place at the surface of a liquid, where molecules with the highest kinetic energy are able to escape. When this happens, the average kinetic energy of the liquid is lowered, and its temperature decreases.

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evaporation Cultural  

1. The changing of a liquid into a gas, often under the influence of heat (as in the boiling of water). (See vaporization.)

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Usage

What does evaporation mean? Evaporation is the process of changing from a liquid or solid state into vapor (like fog, mist, or steam).Evaporation is a noun form of the verb evaporate. Both terms are typically used in the context of water turning into water vapor.Water evaporates when it changes into steam through boiling, but in scientific terms, evaporation typically refers to the change of a liquid into a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point, such as the evaporation of water from the surface of the ocean. In this way, evaporation is an important part of the water cycle.The verb evaporate can also be used in a figurative way meaning to disappear, and evaporation can be used in this figurative way as well.Example: The evaporation of the dew from the grass each morning happens more quickly in the sunny parts of the yard.

Discover More

The evaporation of water from the oceans is a major component in the hydrologic cycle.

Other Word Forms

• evaporative adjective
• evaporatively adverb
• nonevaporation noun
• nonevaporative adjective
• preevaporation noun
• unevaporative adjective

Etymology

Origin of evaporation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English evaporacioun, from Latin ēvapōrātiōn- (stem of ēvapōrātiō ); evaporate, -ion

Compare meaning

How does evaporation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transpiration vs. evaporation

Example Sentences

Eric Tillemans, DWP’s interim aqueduct manager, told the state board that the city’s studies have found Mono Lake’s levels are “more dependent on precipitation, evaporation and runoff than any other factors.”

From Los Angeles Times

Eccrine sweat glands perform a critical function: cooling the body via evaporation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Traditional cooling methods often rely on evaporation, which could reduce regional water availability.

From The Wall Street Journal

It acted as an insulating lid, limiting evaporation and water loss while still allowing sunlight to warm the lake during warmer periods of the year.

From Science Daily

This approach allows the extract to be delivered in very small doses while preventing evaporation.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• dispersal
• melting