oxidation

American  

[ok-si-dey-shuhn] / ɒk sɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

Also oxidization

noun

Chemistry.

1. the process or result of oxidizing.

2. the deposit that forms on the surface of a metal as it oxidizes.

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oxidation British  

/ ˌɒksɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the act or process of oxidizing

   2. ( as modifier )

      an oxidation state

      an oxidation potential

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oxidation Scientific  

/ ŏk′sĭ-dā′shən /

1. The chemical combination of a substance with oxygen.

2. A chemical reaction in which an atom or ion loses electrons, thus undergoing an increase in valence. Removing an electron from an iron atom having a valence of +2 changes the valence to +3.

3. Compare reduction

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oxidation Cultural  

1. Any chemical reaction in which a material gives up electrons, as when the material combines with oxygen. Burning is an example of rapid oxidation; rusting is an example of slow oxidation. (See combustion and reduction.)

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Other Word Forms

• nonoxidation noun
• nonoxidative adjective
• nonoxidization noun
• overoxidization noun
• oxidational adjective
• oxidative adjective
• reoxidation noun
• self-oxidation noun
• unoxidative adjective

Etymology

Origin of oxidation

First recorded in 1785–95; oxide + -ation

Explanation

An apple gone brown on the counter or a penny turned green over years have both gone through the process of oxidation, or exposure to air, which changes their properties — including color. Oxidation is a word used to describe what happens when metal rusts or starts to disintegrate over time with exposure to air. But the process of oxidation — a word that looks very much like the word oxygen — isn't limited only to metals. Bananas turn brown over time because of the oxidation process. If you see an old car crumbling from all its rust, it's seen its fair share of the oxidation process.

Example Sentences

Blood samples from patients with mucormycosis showed higher levels of fatty acid oxidation, which may help explain why they were more susceptible to infection.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

By studying the resulting data, they could confirm the oxidation states of individual elements and demonstrate that the materials were stable.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

To verify that manganese and iron truly remained in the intended oxidation state, Almishal collaborated with researchers at Virginia Tech.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

I learned to force a patina—a controlled oxidation to protect the blade—with vinegar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

As we have seen in the preceding chapter, many of the chlorinated hydrocarbons, the phenols, and some herbicides interfere with oxidation and energy production within the cell.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• decay
• decomposition
• deterioration
• erosion
• rust