evaporation

noun

evap·​o·​ra·​tion i-ˌva-pə-ˈrā-shən 

: the act or process of evaporating:

a

: change from a liquid to a vapor

evaporation of water

But warming increases the evaporation of ocean water, which could increase the snowfall on the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, remove water from the ocean, and lower sea level.

—Jack M. Hollander

b

: the vanishing or disappearance of something

The pope's attempt to arrest the evaporation of the Christian tradition in Europe was also unsuccessful.

—Conrad Black

No longer a machine that accelerates the evaporation of resources, in the Roman context the banquet becomes a theatre of wealth and property, of social distinction, or social-climbing.

—James N. Davidson

Examples of evaporation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A day later, California came out with its own plan, which didn't account for water loss due to evaporation or transportation, proposing bigger water cuts for Arizona. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Tips: Opt for a vessel with a narrower neck to slow down the liquid evaporation process. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2024

The cool damp climate of Scotland results in relatively slower rates of evaporation and a drop in alcoholic strength over time. —Mark Littler, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Assessing tear lipid layer: This testing evaluates the stability and quality of the oils in the tear film, which is necessary for preventing excessive evaporation. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

evaporation

noun

evap·​o·​ra·​tion

i-ˌvap-ə-ˈrā-shən

: the process of evaporating

Medical Definition

evaporation

noun

evap·​o·​ra·​tion i-ˌvap-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: the change by which any substance is converted from a liquid state into and carried off in vapor

specifically : the conversion of a liquid into vapor in order to remove it wholly or partly from a liquid of higher boiling point or from solids dissolved in or mixed with it

evaporate

i-ˈvap-ə-ˌrāt 

verb

evaporated; evaporating

evaporator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun