evaporation

American  

[ih-vap-uh-rey-shuhn] / ɪˌvæp əˈreɪ ʃən /

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.

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evaporation Scientific  

/ 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.

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evaporation Cultural  

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

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Usage

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.

Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

• evaporative adjective
• evaporatively adverb
• nonevaporation noun
• nonevaporative adjective
• preevaporation noun
• unevaporative adjective

Etymology

Origin of evaporation

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

Compare meaning

How does evaporation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transpiration vs. evaporation

Explanation

Evaporation takes place when liquid turns into gas. Ever noticed how water disappears from a glass if you leave it sitting on your counter? That's not thirsty gnomes living in your kitchen: it’s evaporation. Evaporation comes from the Latin evaporare, which means “disperse in vapor or steam.” Depending on the humidity level of the air around it, any liquid will release some of its molecules into the atmosphere around it. That’s evaporation. With time, the liquid can fully evaporate. That's why evaporation can apply to anything that disappears, like the evaporation of your money that leaves you with nothing but an empty wallet.

Example Sentences

Traditional cooling methods often rely on evaporation, which could reduce regional water availability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

Warmer ocean surfaces increase evaporation and rainfall, making storms more intense and extreme weather events more likely.

From Science Daily • Jan. 14, 2026

The wave pool holds 7 million gallons of water and, because of evaporation, filtration and maintenance, it is expected to go through roughly 25 million gallons of water a year.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

Some use water evaporation to dissipate the heat, which works well but is thirsty.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2025

Just as in Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s downfall, or as in Russia in the first days after the revolution, the evaporation of an established order left a power vacuum.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• dispersal
• melting