What does oxidization mean?
Oxidization names the process by which a substance undergoes oxidation. In the narrower, traditional sense, it means combining with oxygen; in modern chemistry it more generally describes a loss of electrons and an increase in a substance's oxidation state. Oxidization can describe useful industrial processes, such as forming a protective oxide layer on metal, or destructive changes such as iron rusting, oil becoming rancid, or a metal surface tarnishing. The term is closely associated with reduction: in a redox reaction, one substance is oxidized while another is reduced. Although “oxidation” is the standard spelling in technical English, “oxidization” is an accepted variant, particularly in North America. It is useful for referring both to a chemical reaction and to the gradual changes caused by exposure to oxygen, with the intended meaning generally becoming clear from context.
nounOxidization is the chemical process in which a substance undergoes oxidation, traditionally described as combining with oxygen and more broadly understood as involving a loss of electrons and an increase in oxidation state. It may also refer to the gradual deterioration of a material through oxidation, as in the rusting of iron.
- The chemical process of undergoing oxidation, involving a loss of electrons and an increase in oxidation state; in traditional usage, combination with oxygen.
- The deterioration of a material through oxidation, especially the rusting or tarnishing of metals.
"The coating on the metal slows oxidization and extends its useful life."
"Oxidization of the copper surface produces a green patina over time."
"Careful storage can slow the oxidization of oils and prevent them from becoming rancid."
"The experiment demonstrated oxidization through a visible color change."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely needed, since the process is commonly discussed in the singular.
"The researchers compared the oxidizations of several different metals."
Every oxidation reaction has a partner: something is oxidized while something else is reduced, making their union the redox reaction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of oxidization
The word comes from the Latin root oxid-, meaning “oxide” or “sour,” which in turn derives from Greek oxys, meaning “sharp” or “sour.” English developed the related forms oxide, oxidize, and oxidation from this root during the early 19th century as chemists refined their descriptions of reactions involving oxygen. The suffix -ization is a later formation expressing the action or process of oxidizing.
Related word forms
How oxidization is actually used
In technical writing, “oxidation” is the usual term. “Oxidization” is an accepted variant, especially in North American usage, but can sound less formal to some readers. When oxidation refers specifically to reaction with oxygen, that narrower sense should be clear from the context.
Easily confused with oxidization
Both terms refer to the same chemical process, but “oxidation” is the standard spelling, while “oxidization” is a less common chiefly North American variant.
Oxidation is a process, whereas oxidation state is the numerical charge assigned to an atom in a chemical compound.