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
Dairy products that have been heated to kill germs, called pasteurization, are not a risk for bird flu.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2025
If the dip requires pasteurization or sterilization and it wasn't heated adequately, these harmful microorganisms could survive, posing health risks.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Cows with bird flu shed large amounts of the H5N1 virus in their milk, although pasteurization has been confirmed to kill the virus, leaving the commercial milk supply safe to drink.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Nearly all, or 99%, of the commercial milk supply produced on dairy farms in the U.S. follows a national pasteurization program.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pasteurization 
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Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2025
If the dip requires pasteurization or sterilization and it wasn't heated adequately, these harmful microorganisms could survive, posing health risks.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Cows with bird flu shed large amounts of the H5N1 virus in their milk, although pasteurization has been confirmed to kill the virus, leaving the commercial milk supply safe to drink.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Nearly all, or 99%, of the commercial milk supply produced on dairy farms in the U.S. follows a national pasteurization program.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pasteurization
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Dictionary Entries Near pasteurization
Cite this Entry
“Pasteurization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasteurization. Accessed 2 Feb. 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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