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Synonyms

maceration

American  
[mas-uh-rey-shuhn] / ˌmæs əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of macerating.

  2. a process in winemaking in which the crushed grape skins are left in the juice until they have imparted the desired color or the proper amount of tannins and aroma.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of maceration

1485–95; < Latin mācerātiōn-, stem of mācerātiō; see macerate, -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.

See Examples For:

The residues are sorted, ground and mixed with a maceration of gum arabic to facilitate ignition, and with clay to slow combustion.

From Barron's ● Apr. 24, 2026

The "maceration" of the sewage that was being pumped out along the outfall pipe was, they said, not treatment, and it would be washed back in to Scarborough's bays.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2022

They are typically bottled and consumed in their youth, rarely ever aged in oak, and have a shorter maceration period with the red grape skins resulting in a lighter color.

From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2021

They leach into the wine during pressing, maceration and fermentation of the juice.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 16, 2021

The natives of Bombay are accustomed to use its juice to anoint the soles of their feet during the rainy season in order to toughen the skin and prevent fissures due to prolonged maceration.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Jerome Beers Thomas

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