1 distillation | Definition of distillation

distillation

noun
dis·​til·​la·​tion | \ ˌdi-stə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce distillation (audio) \

Definition of distillation

1a : the process of purifying a liquid by successive evaporation and condensation
b : a process like distillation gradual distillation of the truth also : an instance of such distilling
2 : something distilled : distillate sense 2

Examples of distillation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sure, the second-half performance left much to be desired, but in that instant, the perfect distillation of what Lampard's Chelsea could look like was realised. SI.com, "7 of the Best Moments From an Enthralling Weekend of Premier League Action," 19 Aug. 2019 But collaborating with someone like Israel is a first for the French house’s revived fragrance arm, which relaunched in 2016 and counts a total of fifteen different distillations, all created by master in-house perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. Celia Ellenberg, Vogue, "What Does L.A. Smell Like? Alex Israel and Louis Vuitton Bottle It Up," 18 Mar. 2019 The office is also responsible for preparing the president’s daily brief, a distillation of the latest classified information from around the globe. Los Angeles Times, "Trump likes aides to tell him what he wants to hear. Will his pick for intelligence chief do likewise?," 30 July 2019 To me, this seems like a distillation of current American society. Conor Orr, SI.com, "In Praise Of ... NFL Kickers," 12 June 2019 McGinnis says his membranes could cut the distillation cost by 90% in an ethanol market worth $50 billion per year in the United States. Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "This former playwright aims to turn solar and wind power into gasoline," 3 July 2019 Proceeds from the festival will also go toward scholarships for Kentucky State University students who plan to enter the school's fermentation and distillation program, which launches this fall. Bailey Loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "'We can't forget': Kentucky is (slowly) recognizing the role of slaves in bourbon's legacy," 27 June 2019 Robert James will also offer distillation education classes, Welker said. Briana Rice, Cincinnati.com, "New movie theater, distillery, and taproom opening in Eastgate," 6 June 2019 Fun fact: the distillation column of Etheridge’s 2,000-gallon still is made from the recycled metal of a rail spur salvaged from the Warehouse District. Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, "Warehouse District: How West Palm Beach’s newest nightlife village found suds, spirits and ‘soul’," 6 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distillation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of distillation

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for distillation

distillation

noun
dis·​til·​la·​tion | \ ˌdi-stə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce distillation (audio) \

Kids Definition of distillation

: the process of heating a liquid until it gives off a gas and then cooling the gas until it becomes liquid

distillation

noun
dis·​til·​la·​tion | \ ˌdis-tə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce distillation (audio) \

Medical Definition of distillation

1 : a process that consists of driving gas or vapor from liquids or solids by heating and condensing to liquid products and that is used especially for purification, fractionation, or the formation of new substances
2 : something distilled

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on distillation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with distillation

Spanish Central: Translation of distillation

Nglish: Translation of distillation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about distillation