dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈa-lə-səs 
plural dialyses
dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
Examples of dialysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The group’s services include helping people with intellectual disabilities live on their own and giving essential transportation to elderly people, like an 86-year-old woman who needs dialysis.
—
Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The semaglutide group had a 24% lower chance of developing a serious complication, such as needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
The victim ran to a nearby dialysis center for help before paramedics arrived to treat him and take him to a hospital.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024
He was however taken off of dialysis today also so… yeah.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
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Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The semaglutide group had a 24% lower chance of developing a serious complication, such as needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
The victim ran to a nearby dialysis center for help before paramedics arrived to treat him and take him to a hospital.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024
He was however taken off of dialysis today also so… yeah.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially
: such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein
Medical Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:
a
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
b
: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane
called also peritoneal dialysis
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