vaporization

[ vey-per-uh-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of vaporizing.
2. the state of being vaporized.
3. the rapid change of water into steam, especially in a boiler.
4. Medicine/Medical. a vapor therapy.

vaporization

1. In physics and chemistry , the conversion of a solid or a liquid into a gas . ( See boiling point , phases of matter , and sublimation .)

Other Words From

• reva·por·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vaporization¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; vapor + -ization

Example Sentences

His apocalypse prediction was delivered sans despair or even humor but, rather, in a casual “smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” tone of someone who’s way past the freaking out stage of accepting imminent vaporization.

From Salon

Many of these skeletons were contracted in a rigid “boxer position,” which is characteristic of rapid death by vaporization or dehydration.

From Science Magazine

Around 20 other belt-bound objects seen shedding mass — possibly because of comet-like periodic ice vaporization, wild spinning or recent impacts by asteroids — are considered candidates to be comets.

From New York Times

The massive vaporization of thousands of tons of geological material caused the surface layers to collapse, creating hundreds of deep subsidence craters.

From Washington Post

That vaporization and the sooty deposits the fat subsequently leaves on the burger’s surface are essential to the flavor of char-grilled foods, but less trapped fat also means drier burgers.

From New York Times

Related Words

• dispersal
• melting