vaporize

verb

va·​por·​ize ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
vaporized; vaporizing

transitive verb

1
: to convert (as by the application of heat or by spraying) into vapor
2
: to cause to become dissipated
3
: to destroy by or as if by converting into vapor
a tank vaporized by a shell
vaporizable adjective
vaporization noun

Examples of vaporize in a Sentence

Heat is used to vaporize the liquid. Pressure causes the chemical to vaporize.
Recent Examples on the Web One of Torres’s most subtle and poignant effects is having unfortunate people simply vaporize into thin air when their time is up. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Even after hitting roadblock after roadblock, the company stuck to its original plan and ended up vaporizing over $400 million in investment before finally throwing in the towel. Mario Aguilar, STAT, 18 Jan. 2024 Many of the space station's modules and hardware are expected to burn up, melt away or vaporize upon re-entry. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 When a comet approached the sun or another star, the ice would begin to vaporize, creating the trails of water and dust that make up the comet’s tail. Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Dec. 2023 What causes this planet to have its atmosphere vaporized some of the time—and then seemingly escape that fate for a while? Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2023 Dabbing involves vaporizing the product using a heated surface, typically a dab rig or an electronic device like the Dart XL. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2023 The polluted water oozing out of Chiquita Canyon contains cancer-causing benzene and other chemicals, which environmental regulators fear is vaporizing and drifting into nearby communities. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024 In order not to vaporize from temperatures as high as nearly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, the Parker Solar Probe is outfitted with a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield to protect its sensitive instruments. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vaporize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

vapor entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaporize was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near vaporize

Cite this Entry

“Vaporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaporize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vaporize

verb
va·​por·​ize ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
vaporized; vaporizing
: to turn from a liquid or solid into vapor
vaporization noun

Medical Definition

vaporize

verb
va·​por·​ize
variants also British vaporise
vaporized also British vaporised; vaporizing also British vaporising

transitive verb

: to convert from a liquid or solid into a vapor
vaporized plaque in an artery with laser treatment
vaporizable adjective
also British vaporisable

More from Merriam-Webster on vaporize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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