dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈa-lə-səs 
plural dialyses
dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
Examples of dialysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even before the strike started Reynolds said she was concerned as her sister’s dialysis was scheduled Monday morning but ended up not happening until late into the evening.
—
Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
People who need a heart are on death's door where people who need a kidney have been kept alive via dialysis.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
While dialysis keeps people alive, the gold-standard treatment is an organ transplant.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
People with cancer are 10 times more likely, and people who need dialysis are 50 times more susceptible.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
The measure spells out what dialysis workers should expect — an hourly minimum of $23 starting in June 2024, $24 beginning June 2025 and $25 in June 2026.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Feb. 2024
Ex Trump Attorney John Eastman Should Be Disbarred Over 2020 Election Interference Charges Judge Says
In 2018, DaVita, a kidney dialysis company whose shareholders include Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management, spent $66.6 million to defeat a pro-patient ballot measure.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
If these type of transplants for kidneys prove to work and be safe -- this could one day make dialysis unnecessary for the more than 500,000 people in the U.S. who require it to live.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024
DaVita, a dialysis clinic chain, spent more than $450,000 promoting Krell.
—Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024
Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
People who need a heart are on death's door where people who need a kidney have been kept alive via dialysis.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
While dialysis keeps people alive, the gold-standard treatment is an organ transplant.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
People with cancer are 10 times more likely, and people who need dialysis are 50 times more susceptible.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
The measure spells out what dialysis workers should expect — an hourly minimum of $23 starting in June 2024, $24 beginning June 2025 and $25 in June 2026.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Feb. 2024
Ex Trump Attorney John Eastman Should Be Disbarred Over 2020 Election Interference Charges Judge Says
In 2018, DaVita, a kidney dialysis company whose shareholders include Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management, spent $66.6 million to defeat a pro-patient ballot measure.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
If these type of transplants for kidneys prove to work and be safe -- this could one day make dialysis unnecessary for the more than 500,000 people in the U.S. who require it to live.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024
DaVita, a dialysis clinic chain, spent more than $450,000 promoting Krell.
—Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dialysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially
: such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein
Medical Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:
a
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
b
: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane
called also peritoneal dialysis
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