dehydration
Americannoun
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the act or process of dehydrating.
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an abnormal loss of water from the body, especially from illness or physical exertion.
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The process of losing or removing water or moisture.
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A condition caused by the excessive loss of water from the body, which causes a rise in blood sodium levels. Since dehydration is most often caused by excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, water loss is usually accompanied by a deficiency of electrolytes. If untreated, severe dehydration can lead to shock.
Etymology
Origin of dehydration
Explanation
Dehydration is what happens when something has water removed from it. Dehydration makes people extremely thirsty, and it can make plants grow droopy and brown. During dehydration, moisture is lost without being replaced. In humans, dehydration can happen during strenuous exercise or in extreme heat — or simply when someone doesn't drink enough water for a certain length of time. A grape becomes a raisin through dehydration, shriveling and drying as moisture is removed. Dehydration and dehydrate, first used only by scientists, have a Greek root, hydro, "water."
Vocabulary lists containing dehydration
Elements of the Universe: Hydr, Hydro ("Water")
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Dry
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hydr, hydro
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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.
WASHINGTON—Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was taken to a hospital and given fluids for dehydration last month after attending a dinner in his honor in Philadelphia.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Some hedgehogs arriving at the rescue centre felt like "little empty bags of prickles and very, very slim" due to dehydration, Thompson said.
From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026
At the time, a Price staffer said he was suffering from dehydration.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026
Israeli media reported that the incident could have been connected to the daycare's heating system, suggesting heat exhaustion and dehydration as possible causes.
From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026
They also gave fluids, although the dire effect of dehydration was not well known.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
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.
