oxidation JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ˌɒk.sɪˈdeɪ.ʃən/ · ox·i·da·tion
noun
  1. The combination of a substance with oxygen. The oxidation of iron produces rust on the surface of the metal.
  2. A reaction in which the atoms of an element lose electrons and the oxidation state of the element increases. During cellular respiration, the oxidation of glucose releases energy for the cell.
Did you know? The word 'oxidation' was coined only after the discovery of oxygen in the 1770s, even though phenomena like rusting had been observed for centuries.
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Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 14, 2026