Dehydration: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in a general sense to describe the process of removing water from any substance. It can be applied to food preservation, where water is removed to extend the shelf life of products like fruits, vegetables, or meat.

• Dehydration of fruits is a common method of preservation.
• The process involves dehydration to remove all the moisture from the product.

Typically used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the thorough drying out of a substance, often using special equipment. Desiccation implies an extreme level of dryness.

• The desiccation of soil can lead to cracking and erosion.
• Samples were stored in a desiccator to prevent moisture absorption.

A more formal or technical term, exsiccation is used primarily in scientific literature to describe the process of removing moisture, often for preservation or to prepare specimens for analysis.

• The exsiccation of plant samples was necessary for the experiment.
• Exsiccation chambers are used to maintain low humidity environments.

Used primarily in medical or biological contexts to describe the loss of water from the body or a living organism.

• Drinking water is crucial to prevent dehydration.
• The patient was treated for dehydration after spending hours in the sun.

Casual, informal use to describe the state of becoming dry, usually referring to objects or materials, and sometimes to people humorously.

• My skin is drying out because of the cold weather.
• The paint is drying out too quickly in this heat.

Scientific or technical contexts, implying the removal of all moisture, typically in a controlled environment. Often used in reference to food preservation or lab procedures.

• The desiccation of herbs prolongs their shelf life.
• Desiccation of the sample was necessary for accurate analysis.

Scientific contexts, referring specifically to the process of liquid turning into vapor. Often used in discussions about water cycles, weather, or chemistry.

• Evaporation occurs when water is heated.
• The rate of evaporation increases with temperature.