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
At the time, the Danish company’s announcement caused shares of kidney dialysis companies to plummet about 20% in a single day.
—
Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
To find out more, Dr. Takahashi compared the process of drinking sparkling water with dialysis, a process in which a machine filters blood to remove waste and excess water when the kidneys no longer can adequately perform this function.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Jan. 2025
After his first session on April 8, the incision Dr. John had made in Mr. Bowen’s groin to insert his dialysis catheter began oozing blood.
—John Carreyrou, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Recent health complications meant Jack was on his final treatment option, which involved undergoing dialysis in hospital for four hours, three times a week.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
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Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
To find out more, Dr. Takahashi compared the process of drinking sparkling water with dialysis, a process in which a machine filters blood to remove waste and excess water when the kidneys no longer can adequately perform this function.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Jan. 2025
After his first session on April 8, the incision Dr. John had made in Mr. Bowen’s groin to insert his dialysis catheter began oozing blood.
—John Carreyrou, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Recent health complications meant Jack was on his final treatment option, which involved undergoing dialysis in hospital for four hours, three times a week.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dialysis
Dictionary Entries Near dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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