What does deodorisation mean?
Deodorisation is the British English noun for the process of removing, neutralising, or suppressing unwanted smells from a person, place, or material. It describes both the method and the broader operation: a room may be deodorised by cleaning, ventilation, or chemical treatment, while a production facility may use a dedicated deodorisation system. The word is more formal and institutional than ordinary phrases such as “getting rid of a smell” and is especially common in discussions of sanitation, waste management, and building maintenance. In British usage, the -isation ending distinguishes it from the standard American form, deodorization. Although people sometimes say that a deodorant “deodorises” a space, the more precise distinction is that a deodorant is an agent used to control odour, whereas deodorisation names the process. Together the related terms describe both the action and the substance employed to achieve it.
nounDeodorisation is the process of removing, neutralising, or suppressing unwanted smells from a person, place, or material.
- The process of removing, neutralising, or suppressing an unwanted smell.
"Regular cleaning and improved ventilation helped with the deodorisation of the communal kitchen."
"The new ventilation system has significantly improved deodorisation throughout the building."
"Odour deodorisation is especially important in areas where waste is stored."
Plurals are uncommon because the word usually names a process as a whole.
"The two deodorisations were carried out during separate maintenance periods."
The giveaway is the spelling: British -isation and American -ization name the same process.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does deodorisation come from?
Deodorisation was formed in English from deodorise and the noun-forming suffix -ation, with British spelling later reflected in the use of -isation. Its underlying elements are the Latin prefix de-, meaning removal or reversal, and odor, meaning smell. Related English words include deodorant, odour or odor, and odorous; the standard American form is deodorization.
How deodorisation is actually used
The term is more formal and institutional than ordinary phrases such as “getting rid of a smell” and is common in technical discussions of sanitation, waste management, and building maintenance. It normally describes a process or treatment rather than the product used.
Easily confused with deodorisation
Deodorisation is the process of controlling or removing an unwanted smell, whereas a deodorant is the agent or product used to do so.