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

dialytic

ˌdī-ə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

Examples of dialysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The stakes are especially high in dialysis, where DaVita and Fresenius control at least 70% of a market expected to be worth more than $180 billion by the next decade. —Maya Goldman, Axios, 24 July 2024

After an average of three and a half years, the semaglutide group had a 24 percent lower likelihood of having a major kidney disease event—such as needing dialysis or a kidney transplant. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024

However, when the first missiles hit the ground a couple kilometers from the hospital Oksana and others quickly went down to the shelter while doctors and nurses decided to go into the room to switch the kids off from the dialysis equipment and take them downstairs too. —Yulia Drozd, ABC News, 26 July 2024

Discuss all your dialysis options with your nephrologist (kidney specialist) or other healthcare provider. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, separation, from dialyein to dissolve, from dia- + lyein to loosen — more at lose

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

dialytic

ˌdī-ə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective