pyrolysis

American  

[pahy-rol-uh-sis] / paɪˈrɒl ə sɪs /

noun

Chemistry.

1. the subjection of organic compounds to very high temperatures.

2. the resulting decomposition.

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pyrolysis British  

/ ˌpaɪrəʊˈlɪtɪk, paɪˈrɒlɪsɪs /

noun

1. the application of heat to chemical compounds in order to cause decomposition

2. chemical decomposition of compounds caused by high temperatures

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Other Word Forms

• pyrolytic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pyrolysis

First recorded in 1885–90; pyro- + -lysis

Example Sentences

It acknowledged for the first time that it's "highly likely" that a proportion of tyres from the UK are diverted to illegal pyrolysis as opposed to being recycled.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2025

Drone footage, taken in India and shared with the BBC, showed the tyres reaching a compound - where thousands were waiting to be thrown into huge furnaces to undergo pyrolysis.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

While others in the field have attempted to break tire materials down using high heat, through a process known as pyrolysis, 6PPD is stubborn and the diketone molecules remain in the oil left behind.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2024

ProPublica explored the most popular form of chemical recycling, pyrolysis; we found it is so inefficient that it yields products with almost no actual recycled content.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2024

During pyrolysis, materials like plastic are heated in a low-oxygen environment until they break down into other chemicals.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2024