oxidize

American  

[ok-si-dahyz] / ˈɒk sɪˌdaɪz /

especially British, oxidise

verb (used with object)

oxidized, oxidizing

1. to convert (an element) into an oxide; combine with oxygen.

2. to cover with a coating of oxide or rust.

3. to take away hydrogen, as by the action of oxygen; add oxygen or any nonmetal.

4. to remove electrons from (an atom or molecule), thereby increasing the valence.

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verb (used without object)

oxidized, oxidizing

1. to become oxidized.

2. (especially of white wine) to lose freshness after prolonged exposure to air and often to darken in color.

oxidize British  

/ ˈɒksɪˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen, as in formation of an oxide

2. to form or cause to form a layer of metal oxide, as in rusting

3. to lose or cause to lose hydrogen atoms

4. to undergo or cause to undergo a decrease in the number of electrons Compare reduce

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oxidize Scientific  

/ ŏk′sĭ-dīz′ /

1. To undergo or cause to undergo oxidation.

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Other Word Forms

• antioxidizing adjective
• half-oxidized adjective
• nonoxidizable adjective
• nonoxidizing adjective
• overoxidize verb
• oxidable adjective
• oxidizability noun
• oxidizable adjective
• oxidization noun
• reoxidize verb
• underoxidize verb (used with object)
• unoxidizable adjective
• unoxidized adjective

Etymology

Origin of oxidize

First recorded in 1795–1805; oxide + -ize

Example Sentences

The presence of electric discharges shows that the atmosphere can reach charge levels high enough to speed up the creation of highly oxidizing compounds.

From Science Daily

Barnett discovered that ROS oxidized certain immune and metabolic proteins involved in neurological disease, altering the activity of thousands of genes tied to inflammation and dementia.

From Science Daily

“I was talking about stale, oxidized matcha powder, but I completely get that it came off a very wrong way. I chose the wrong words and I really apologize for that.”

From Salon

She also suggested the Republic of Tea’s Darjeeling Black Full Leaf Tea, which “is less oxidized than most black teas, so you're going to get more fruity flavors and more floral flavors,” Ziata explained.

From Salon

“The presence of ferrihydrite tells us something specific about Mars' past environment,” Valentinas said, describing the cold and pH neutral waters that must have existed to oxidize the soil.

From Salon