dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈa-lə-səs 
plural dialyses
dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
Examples of dialysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Emergency Medicaid primarily covers immediate, short-term medical treatment such as labor and delivery, but some states also include care such as dialysis and cancer treatments.
—
Liz Neporent, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
Some states also cover dialysis and cancer treatments.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
The hospital was also among the first in Michigan to perform dialysis and liver transplants, earning recognition from the Dialysis Foundation.
—Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Anyone who requires dialysis is covered by Medicare at substantial cost to taxpayers, Norton says.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
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Liz Neporent, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
Some states also cover dialysis and cancer treatments.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
The hospital was also among the first in Michigan to perform dialysis and liver transplants, earning recognition from the Dialysis Foundation.
—Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Anyone who requires dialysis is covered by Medicare at substantial cost to taxpayers, Norton says.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially
: such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein
Medical Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:
a
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
b
: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane
called also peritoneal dialysis
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