freeze-drying

American  

[freez-drahy-ing] / ˈfrizˈdraɪ ɪŋ /

noun

1. a process for drying heat-sensitive substances, as foods, blood plasma, antibiotics, and the like, by freezing the substance and then subliming the ice or other frozen solvent in a high vacuum.

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Etymology

Origin of freeze-drying

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

That was over the summer, so he turned off the air conditioner, began freeze-drying bulk food purchases rather than storing them in his electric freezer, and started shutting off his lights more often.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

Bischoff’s specializes in a form of hybrid taxidermy, incorporating traditional techniques with the more new-fangled freeze-drying process.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

The process involves blending three main components -- carbon nanotubes, polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose -- followed by freeze-drying.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2024

It’s a bit like natural freeze-drying, says paleopathologist Niels Lynnerup of the University of Copenhagen, who studied the mummies.

From National Geographic • Aug. 7, 2023

About £8m has already been spent preserving and restoring the timbers, which has included freeze-drying the wood at the Mary Rose museum in Portsmouth.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2023