liquefaction

noun
liq·​ue·​fac·​tion | \ ˌli-kwə-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce liquefaction (audio) \

Definition of liquefaction

1 : the process of making or becoming liquid
2 : the state of being liquid
3 : conversion of soil into a fluidlike mass during an earthquake or other seismic event

Examples of liquefaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are fears that the death toll may sharply rise because of another phenomenon: liquefaction. James Hookway, WSJ, "Extent of Indonesia Devastation Surprised Earthquake Watchers," 2 Oct. 2018 Commission approval is required to build and operate a natural gas liquefaction plant. Larry Persily, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska LNG project could have significant environmental impacts, says draft assessment," 1 July 2019 The militia’s search and rescue team was the first to scour two neighborhoods swallowed by soil liquefaction, recovering bodies before the government search and rescue agency turned up. Washington Post, "When disaster hits, Indonesia’s Islamists are first to help," 11 June 2019 The militia's search and rescue team was the first to scour two neighborhoods swallowed by soil liquefaction, recovering bodies before the government search and rescue agency turned up. Stephen Wright, Fox News, "When disaster hits, Indonesia's Islamists are first to help," 11 June 2019 Originally slated to cost $34 billion with a 2016 start date, the Ichthys project comprises an offshore gas field, a 553-mile pipeline and liquefaction facilities in Darwin, Australia. Mayumi Negishi, WSJ, "Natural Gas From $40 Billion Project Begins Shipping in Landmark for Japan," 23 Oct. 2018 Baghdad, which badly needs the commodity for its power stations, is now considering bringing floating liquefaction plants to source the gas elsewhere, according to the people familiar with the matter. Benoit Faucon, WSJ, "U.S. Sanctions Hit Iran’s Plan to Tap Giant Gas Trove," 5 Oct. 2018 Wet, sandy soil also separated and came alive through liquefaction in some areas due to the earthquake’s radical vibrations. Andi Jatmiko, The Seattle Times, "Indonesia expert warned of quake, gov’t mapped risk areas," 9 Oct. 2018 And in some places, liquefaction swept away entire neighborhoods and villages. Ben Otto And I Made Sentana, WSJ, "Indonesia Will Stop Digging for Quake Victims," 8 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'liquefaction.' 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 liquefaction

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for liquefaction

Middle English, from Late Latin liquefaction-, liquefactio, from Latin liquefacere, from liquēre to be fluid + facere to make — more at do

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More Definitions for liquefaction

liquefaction

noun
liq·​ue·​fac·​tion | \ ˌlik-wə-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce liquefaction (audio) \

Medical Definition of liquefaction

1 : the process of making or becoming liquid
2 : the state of being liquid