pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tyə-,

-tə-

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance

2

: irradiation of food products

Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The agency found viral fragments in one in five samples of commercial milk, although this virus had been deactivated by pasteurization so was not infectious. —Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024

Federal regulators have said pasteurization is effective at eliminating bird flu virus in dairy milk. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024

Fortified milk replaces nutrients that may be lost in the pasteurization process. —Joel Komakech, The Conversation, 19 June 2024

Scientists cautioned, however, that because the experiments didn’t replicate the full flash pasteurization process, including a pre-heating step, more research was needed. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tə-

: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition

Medical Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​iza·​tion

variants also British pasteurisation

ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə- 

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms

2

: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)