hydrogenate

American  

[hahy-druh-juh-neyt, hahy-droj-uh-] / ˈhaɪ drə dʒəˌneɪt, haɪˈdrɒdʒ ə- /

verb (used with object)

hydrogenated, hydrogenating

1. to combine or treat with hydrogen, especially to add hydrogen to the molecule of (an unsaturated organic compound).

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hydrogenate British  

/ haɪˈdrɒdʒɪˌneɪt, ˈhaɪdrədʒɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo a reaction with hydrogen

   to hydrogenate ethylene

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hydrogenate Scientific  

/ hī′drə-jə-nāt′,hī-drŏj′ə-nāt′ /

1. To treat or combine chemically an unsaturated compound with hydrogen. Liquid vegetable oils are often hydrogenated to turn them into solids.

2. To turn coal into oil by combining its carbon with hydrogen to form hydrocarbons.

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Other Word Forms

• hydrogenation noun
• hydrogenator noun

Etymology

Origin of hydrogenate

First recorded in 1800–10; hydrogen + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Twenty-five calories per serving sounds good on paper, but one scoop of protein doesn’t undo all that hydrogenated oil.

From Salon

You'll see them listed as partially hydrogenated oils on nutrition labels for fried and baked goods.

From Salon

Unlike their processed counterparts, UPFs are high in high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, synthetic preservatives, artificial flavors, emulsifiers and other additives not found in raw, whole foods.

From Salon

These foods don’t resemble their raw ingredients and are typically high in high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, synthetic preservatives, artificial flavors, emulsifiers and other additives not found in raw, whole foods.

From Salon

It took more than three years for the FDA to ban partially hydrogenated oils from food manufacturing after they were no longer recognized as safe.

From Salon