dehydrate

verb
de·​hy·​drate | \ (ˌ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt How to pronounce dehydrate (audio) \
dehydrated; dehydrating; dehydrates

Definition of dehydrate

transitive verb

1a : to remove bound water or hydrogen and oxygen from (a chemical compound) in the proportion in which they form water
b : to remove water from (something, such as a food)
2 : to deprive of vitality or savor

intransitive verb

: to lose water or body fluids

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Other Words from dehydrate

dehydrator \ (ˌ)dē-​ˈhī-​ˌdrā-​tər How to pronounce dehydrator (audio) \ noun

Did You Know?

Dehydrating food is a good way to preserve it; raisins, which are dehydrated grapes, are a good example. Dehydration through industrial processes makes it possible to keep food even longer and store it in a smaller space. Freeze-drying produces food that only needs rehydration—that is, the addition of water—to restore its original consistency. Runners, cyclists, and hikers fearful of dehydration seem to be constantly hydrating themselves nowadays, sometimes even using a shoulder pack with a tube going straight into the mouth. Dehydrate can also be used for making something "dry" or "lifeless;" thus, a dull teacher can dehydrate American history, and an unimaginative staging can dehydrate a great Shakespeare play.

Examples of dehydrate in a Sentence

Salt dehydrates the meat and keeps it from spoiling. Athletes drink lots of water so they don't dehydrate. Exercising in this heat will dehydrate you.
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Recent Examples on the Web

Besides dehydrating you at a faster rate, alcohol can alter your brain functions significantly, especially in the heat. Ramona Sentinel, "Crime Prevention Corner: 5 Do’s and 5 Don’ts for a safe Ramona summer," 24 July 2019 The owl was dehydrated, exhausted and had a slight case of hypothermia. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Foster City agencies, citizens team up to rescue barn owl," 23 July 2019 Lares, 51, was dehydrated and fell ill with a fever that would keep him out of work for four unpaid days. Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "Rules lag in keeping workers safe from heat-related illness, death," 21 July 2019 Pregnant women, meanwhile, are at a risk of early labor and lactating women are likely to become dehydrated more quickly. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, "How to stay safe in this week's heat wave," 18 July 2019 The 1-year-old dog weighed less than 20 pounds, was extremely dehydrated and had sores on his hips and knees. San Diego Union-Tribune, "DA highlights work of animal abuse unit, encourages the public to watch over neighbor pets," 24 June 2019 Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer says 38-year-old Joshua McClatchy, of Fort Worth, was dehydrated but in good spirits when he was found late Friday. Houston Chronicle, "Lost Texas hiker rescued after week in Arkansas wilderness," 8 June 2019 The volunteers were able to save 25 birds from the scene and the first step was getting them food and electrolytes because most of the birds were extremely dehydrated, Prince said. Katherine Rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "Dozens of baby seagulls found dead on South Loop street; wildlife experts suspect they were tossed from rooftop," 18 June 2018 There’s research to back up coffee’s lack of dehydrating powers. Korin Miller, SELF, "Is Coffee Actually Dehydrating?," 6 Mar. 2019

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

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First Known Use of dehydrate

1876, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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More Definitions for dehydrate

dehydrate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of dehydrate

somewhat technical
: to remove water or moisture from (something, such as food)
: to lose too much water

dehydrate

verb
de·​hy·​drate | \ dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt How to pronounce dehydrate (audio) \
dehydrated; dehydrating

Kids Definition of dehydrate

1 : to take water from (as foods) dehydrate fruit
2 : to lose water or body fluids Athletes should avoid dehydrating.

Other Words from dehydrate

dehydration \ ˌdē-​ˌhī-​ˈdrā-​shən \ noun

dehydrate

verb
de·​hy·​drate | \ (ˈ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt How to pronounce dehydrate (audio) \
dehydrated; dehydrating

Medical Definition of dehydrate

transitive verb

1 : to remove bound water or hydrogen and oxygen from (a chemical compound) in the proportion in which they form water
2 : to remove water from (as foods)