oxidation state
noun Chemistry.
the state of an element or ion in a compound with regard to the electrons gained or lost by the element or ion in the reaction that formed the compound, expressed as a positive or negative number indicating the ionic charge of the element or ion.
Nearby words
oxidases, oxidate, oxidation, oxidation number, oxidation potential, oxidation state, oxidation-reduction, oxidative, oxidative phosphorylation, oxidative stress, oxide
Origin of oxidation state
First recorded in 1945–50
Also called oxidation number.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Science definitions for oxidation number
oxidation state
See valence.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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