pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·i·za·tion
ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌpas-tyə-,
-tə-
1
: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance
2
: irradiation of food products
Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Food safety experts said insufficient refrigeration may increase pathogens to levels where pasteurization is not fully effective.
—
Tom Polansek, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Additionally, if pasteurization is incomplete or uneven, some harmful bacteria might survive and grow, causing early spoilage.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Researchers detected bird flu in grocery store milk, but federal health officials spread the word that pasteurization kills the virus—so the only milk that could potentially be dangerous was raw milk.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
Why Do Milk Cartons Bloat? Milk cartons may become bloated in the pasteurization process, says Schneider.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pasteurization
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Tom Polansek, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Additionally, if pasteurization is incomplete or uneven, some harmful bacteria might survive and grow, causing early spoilage.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Researchers detected bird flu in grocery store milk, but federal health officials spread the word that pasteurization kills the virus—so the only milk that could potentially be dangerous was raw milk.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
Why Do Milk Cartons Bloat? Milk cartons may become bloated in the pasteurization process, says Schneider.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pasteurization
Cite this Entry
“Pasteurization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasteurization. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·i·za·tion
ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən
ˌpas-tə-
: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition
Medical Definition
pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·iza·tion
variants
also British pasteurisation
1
: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms
2
: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)
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