Thickening: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in cooking to describe the process of making a liquid more dense or viscous.

• Add flour to the sauce for thickening.
• The soup requires a thickening agent.

Often used in a more scientific or formal context to describe a liquid becoming solid or semi-solid.

• The congealment of blood can indicate clotting.
• The mixture achieved congealment after cooling.

Commonly used in food science and chemistry, referring to the process by which starch granules absorb water and swell during heating.

• Heat the cornstarch slurry to achieve gelatinization.
• The gelatinization of the starch thickened the mixture.

A technical term used in scientific or industrial contexts to describe the process of becoming more viscous.

• The polymers underwent viscification under high pressure.
• The viscification process altered the material's properties.

This word is often used in culinary contexts when describing the process of making a liquid more dense or viscous.

• The sauce is thickening nicely
• Use some flour for thickening the soup

Commonly used in scientific or industrial contexts to describe the process of becoming solid, usually from a liquid state.

• The solidification of molten lava forms igneous rocks
• The solidification of the metal took a few hours

Used broadly in various contexts, such as physical training, emotional support, or improving structures to make them more robust.

• The exercises are aimed at strengthening core muscles
• They are strengthening the bridge to withstand earthquakes

Typically used in business, finance, or structural contexts to refer to combining multiple entities or strengthening a position.

• The company’s consolidation efforts will streamline operations
• After the merger, they focused on the consolidation of their market position

Used in cooking or when describing the process of becoming thicker or more concentrated.

• The soup needs more thickening
• The fog is thickening

Refers to the process where gas turns into a liquid, often seen on surfaces or in discussions about weather and science.

• Condensation formed on the window
• The condensation process in the water cycle is crucial

Typically used in technical or scientific contexts to indicate an increase in density, often related to materials or urban planning.

• The densification of the material improved its strength
• Urban densification trends lead to more high-rise buildings

Describes the process of becoming more intense or serious, commonly used in discussions about emotions, actions, or situations.

• There was an intensification of efforts to resolve the issue
• The storm's intensification caught everyone off guard