Dialysis

//daɪˈælɪsɪs// noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A method of separating molecules or particles of different sizes by differential diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes wordnet
  3. 3
    The use of this method for the removal of waste products from the blood in the case of kidney failure: hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. countable, uncountable

    "An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine."

  4. 4
    The spelling out of alternatives, or presenting of either-or arguments that lead to a conclusion. countable, rhetoric, uncountable
  5. 5
    asyndeton. countable, rhetoric, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
catalysiscatalystdecaydissociationfissionsplitting

Example

More examples

"He needs dialysis twice a week."

Etymology

From Latin dialysis, from Ancient Greek διάλυσις (diálusis). By surface analysis, dia- + -lysis. First use appears c. 1550.

Related phrases

peritoneal dialysisperitoneal dialysis

More for "dialysis"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.