pasteurization
Britishnoun
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the process of heating beverages, such as milk, beer, wine, or cider, or solid foods, such as cheese or crab meat, to destroy harmful or undesirable microorganisms or to limit the rate of fermentation by the application of controlled heat
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A process in which an unfermented liquid, such as milk, or a partially fermented one, such as beer, is heated to a specific temperature for a certain amount of time in order to kill pathogens that could cause disease, spoilage, or undesired fermentation. During pasteurization, the liquid is not allowed to reach its boiling point so as to avoid changing its molecular structure.
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The process of destroying most pathogens in certain foods, such as fish or clams, by irradiating them with gamma rays or other radiation to prevent spoilage.
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See Note at Pasteur
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The idea of mirror life was first floated in 1860 by Louis Pasteur, of vaccination, fermentation and pasteurization fame.
From Salon • Jan. 18, 2025
Although fragments of the H5N1 virus have also been found in conventional milk, the heat and pressure treatment of pasteurization means that processed milk is still definitely safe to drink.
From Slate • Dec. 4, 2024
We know that consuming raw milk exposes people to infections that are normally killed during pasteurization, as the CDC says.
From Slate • Dec. 4, 2024
Health officials say pasteurization inactivates the virus so there is no cause for concern for consumers of pasteurized milk or dairy products.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024
This method is often followed where pasteurization or sterilization is not desired.
From Outlines of Dairy Bacteriology, 8th edition A Concise Manual for the Use of Students in Dairying by Russell, H. L. (Harry Luman)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.