pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·i·za·tion
ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌpas-tyə-,
-tə-
1
: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance
2
: irradiation of food products
Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The agency found viral fragments in one in five samples of commercial milk, although this virus had been deactivated by pasteurization so was not infectious.
—
Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Federal regulators have said pasteurization is effective at eliminating bird flu virus in dairy milk.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024
Fortified milk replaces nutrients that may be lost in the pasteurization process.
—Joel Komakech, The Conversation, 19 June 2024
Scientists cautioned, however, that because the experiments didn’t replicate the full flash pasteurization process, including a pre-heating step, more research was needed.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pasteurization 
Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Federal regulators have said pasteurization is effective at eliminating bird flu virus in dairy milk.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024
Fortified milk replaces nutrients that may be lost in the pasteurization process.
—Joel Komakech, The Conversation, 19 June 2024
Scientists cautioned, however, that because the experiments didn’t replicate the full flash pasteurization process, including a pre-heating step, more research was needed.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pasteurization
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pasteurization.' 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 pasteurization
Cite this Entry
“Pasteurization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasteurization. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·i·za·tion
ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən
ˌpas-tə-
: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition
Medical Definition
pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·iza·tion
variants
also British pasteurisation
1
: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms
2
: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share