liquefaction
American-
Chemistry The act or process of turning a gas into a liquid. Liquefaction is usually achieved by compression of vapors (provided the temperature of the gas is below the critical temperature), by refrigeration, or by adiabatic expansion.
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Geology The process by which sediment that is very wet starts to behave like a liquid. Liquefaction occurs because of the increased pore pressure and reduced effective stress between solid particles generated by the presence of liquid. It is often caused by severe shaking, especially that associated with earthquakes.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of liquefaction
1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin liquefactiōn- (stem of liquefactiō ) a melting, equivalent to Latin liquefact ( us ) (past participle of liquefacere to melt, liquefy ) + -iōn- -ion
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.
QatarEnergy said two of Ras Laffan’s 14 LNG liquefaction trains—essentially, giant fridges used to turn natural gas into a supercooled liquid that can be shipped—suffered damage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026
The recovery window is likely three to four years for Qatar’s liquefied-natural-gas trains — liquefaction units that produce LNG — which were damaged by Iranian attacks, she said.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 2, 2026
Smith warned that too many liquefaction projects are still being proposed, often at economics that depend on selling excess cargoes at elevated spot prices.
From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026
The company has had a presence in Qatar since 1955, with current stakes in nine LNG liquefaction lines and 27 tankers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
Known as "liquefaction," this process transformed the protein cubes from a steady solid into a flowing sludge.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
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