hydrolyze

verb

hy·​dro·​lyze ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
hydrolyzed; hydrolyzing

transitive verb

: to subject to hydrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo hydrolysis
hydrolyzable
ˈhī-drə-ˌlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
adjective

Examples of hydrolyze in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For example, one study found that people given a supplement containing hydrolyzed fish‐origin collagen, taurine, cysteine, methionine, iron, and selenium showed greater hair loss improvements when combined with hair loss treatments. — Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Jan. 2025 Related Video Emma Roberts’s Tote and Purse are Filled With All Her Summer Essentials–Plus a Sweet Treat When choosing a good collagen supplement for your hair, take note of the following: That it is hydrolyzed. — Ana Morales, Vogue, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin hydrolysis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrolyze was in 1880

Rhymes for hydrolyze

See All Rhymes for hydrolyze

Browse Nearby Words

hydrolyte
hydrolyze
hydrolyzer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrolyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrolyze. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

hydrolyze

verb
hy·​dro·​lyze ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
hydrolyzed; hydrolyzing
: to go through or cause to go through hydrolysis

Medical Definition

hydrolyze

verb
hy·​dro·​lyze
variants or chiefly British hydrolyse
ˈhī-drə-ˌlīz How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
hydrolyzed or chiefly British hydrolysed; hydrolyzing or chiefly British hydrolysing

transitive verb

: to subject to hydrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo hydrolysis
hydrolyzable adjective
or chiefly British hydrolysable
-ˌlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce hydrolyze (audio)
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