evaporation

[ ih-vap-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of evaporating.
2. the state of being evaporated.
3. Archaic. matter or the quantity of matter evaporated or passed off in vapor.

evaporation

/ ĭ-văp′ə-rā′shən /

1. The change of a liquid into a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point. Evaporation takes place at the surface of a liquid, where molecules with the highest kinetic energy are able to escape. When this happens, the average kinetic energy of the liquid is lowered, and its temperature decreases.

evaporation

1. The changing of a liquid into a gas , often under the influence of heat (as in the boiling of water). ( See vaporization .)

Notes

The evaporation of water from the oceans is a major component in the hydrologic cycle .

Other Words From

• e·vap·o·ra·tive [ih-, vap, -, uh, -rey-tiv, -er-, uh, -tiv], adjective
• e·vapo·rative·ly adverb
• none·vapo·ration noun
• none·vapo·rative adjective
• pree·vapo·ration noun
• une·vapo·rative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of evaporation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English evaporacioun, from Latin ēvapōrātiōn- (stem of ēvapōrātiō ); evaporate, -ion

Example Sentences

Thanks to analysis of the chlorine isotopes3 contained in salt extracted from the Mediterranean seabed, scientists have been able to identify the two phases of this extreme evaporation event.

From Science Daily

"Warming temperatures increase both the evaporation of water from the surface to the atmosphere, and the water-holding capacity of the atmosphere, increasing the frequency and intensity of drought conditions," he noted.

From Science Daily

While trees can reduce temperatures effectively, they simultaneously increase humidity due to evaporation.

From Science Daily

Scientists have provided strong evidence that the dynamic behind this is an increase of greenhouse gasses from human industry that trap heat, cooking the oceans to extreme levels that cause greater evaporation.

From Salon

The threshold for extreme drought is reached after six months of very low rainfall or very high levels of evaporation from plants and soil - or both.

From BBC

Related Words

• dispersal
• melting

More About Evaporation

What does evaporation mean?

Evaporation is the process of changing from a liquid or solid state into vapor (like fog, mist, or steam).

Evaporation is a noun form of the verb evaporate. Both terms are typically used in the context of water turning into water vapor.

Water evaporates when it changes into steam through boiling, but in scientific terms, evaporation typically refers to the change of a liquid into a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point, such as the evaporation of water from the surface of the ocean. In this way, evaporation is an important part of the water cycle.

The verb evaporate can also be used in a figurative way meaning to disappear, and evaporation can be used in this figurative way as well.

Example: The evaporation of the dew from the grass each morning happens more quickly in the sunny parts of the yard.

Where does evaporation come from?

The first records of the word evaporation come from the 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb ēvapōrāre, meaning “to disperse in vapor.” The word vapor is at the heart of evaporation and comes from the Latin word meaning “steam.”

When you leave out a glass of water and it eventually dries up, it doesn’t just disappear—it evaporates (which, yes, is a bit like disappearing into thin air). Scientifically speaking, evaporation takes place at the surface of a liquid, where the molecules with the highest kinetic energy (the ones with the highest temperature) are able to escape—often by floating off into the atmosphere. This means that evaporation is often a result of added heat, such as from a burner on the stove or the sun.

Evaporation is one step in the water cycle, in which water, such as on the surface of oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water, turns into water vapor. The cycle continues as the vapor condenses to form clouds and is then released through precipitation, such as rain and snow.

Evaporation is usually discussed in the context of liquids, but it can happen to solids, too. If you leave ice cubes in your freezer, they’ll eventually evaporate.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to evaporation?

• evaporate (verb)
• evaporable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for evaporation?

• dispersal
• disappearance

What are some words that share a root or word element with evaporation? 

• vapor
• vaporization

What are some words that often get used in discussing evaporation?

 

• water
• liquid
• gas
• steam
• moisture
• water cycle

 

How is evaporation used in real life?

Evaporation is commonly used in the context of the water cycle.

What is the water cycle? This animated video explains how rain forms and explains how rainfall, evaporation and condensation all form part of the #water cycle. https://t.co/sLrK7GcAam#homeschoolingUK #homelearningUK pic.twitter.com/GsRGrcDa4D

— Met Office Learning (@MetOfficeLearn) June 29, 2020

Watering your lawn before 10 am keeps evaporation at a minimum. Consider changing your watering schedule for better efficiency. #Tip pic.twitter.com/PTjyiPhIzc

— Amarillo Lawn Sprinkler (@AmarilloLawn) April 15, 2020

The Grifton tower cam (courtesy of WITN) captured some pesky fog over Contentnea Creek and the Neuse River this morning. Notice it is mainly confined over water: the air temp is around 34° but the water temps are around 61-62°. The result is evaporation (or steam) fog. pic.twitter.com/CmlsUe2Ve6

— NWS Newport/Morehead (@NWSMoreheadCity) April 16, 2020

 

 

Try using evaporation!

Is evaporation used correctly in the following sentence? 

The recession has resulted in the evaporation of jobs in several industries.