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

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

Hot weather increases the evaporation of water from soil which makes periods when there is no rain even drier.

From BBC

Only its president and treasurer knew that the cordage trust was hobbled by overproduction, a lack of credit and the evaporation of its working capital.

From Los Angeles Times

Secondly, hotter temperatures increase the evaporation from plants and soils, so they lose more water.

From BBC

Related Words

• dispersal
• melting