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

Between the lines: Food and Drug Administration officials also presented new evidence Tuesday that pasteurization killed live virus in milk, as well as cream cheese, hard cheese, ice cream and butter products. —Tina Reed, Axios, 13 Aug. 2024

The pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria that can cause illness in people with vulnerable immune systems like pregnant people. —Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024

That type of guarantee of safety, according to Susan Mayne, former head of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, can only be achieved by the bogeyman in this whole debate: pasteurization. —Nicholas Florko, STAT, 3 July 2024

In milk, pasteurization kills the active virus so it can’t be transmitted, federal research shows. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 16 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)