pyrolysis
Americannoun
-
the subjection of organic compounds to very high temperatures.
-
the resulting decomposition.
noun
-
the application of heat to chemical compounds in order to cause decomposition
-
chemical decomposition of compounds caused by high temperatures
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pyrolysis
Vocabulary lists containing pyrolysis
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.
Microplastic samples utilized pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry for analysis.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026
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
UK tyres are ending up in these Indian pyrolysis plants, despite legitimate official paperwork stating they are headed for legal Indian recycling centres.
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
During pyrolysis, materials like plastic are heated in a low-oxygen environment until they break down into other chemicals.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
