oxidize

UK: /ˈɒksɪdaɪz/ US: /ˈɑksɪˌdaɪz/ ,(ok′si dīz′)

Inflections of 'oxidize' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

oxidizes

v 3rd person singular (US & UK)

oxidizing

v pres p (US & UK)

oxidized

v past (US & UK)

oxidized

v past p (US & UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ox•i•dize /ˈɑksɪˌdaɪz/   v., -dized, -diz•ing. 

1. Chemistry [~ + object] to combine chemically with oxygen;
   convert into an oxide.
2. Chemistry [~ + object] to cover with a coating of oxide or rust.
3. Chemistry [no object] to become oxidized.

ox•i•diz•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ox•i•dize  (ok′si dīz′), v., -dized, -diz•ing. [Chem.]
v.t. 

1. Chemistry to convert (an element) into an oxide; combine with oxygen.
2. Chemistry to cover with a coating of oxide or rust.
3. Chemistry to take away hydrogen, as by the action of oxygen;
   add oxygen or any nonmetal.
4. Chemistry to remove electrons from (an atom or molecule), thereby increasing the valence. Cf. reduce (def. 12).

v.i. 

5. Chemistry to become oxidized.
6. Wine (esp. of white wine) to lose freshness after prolonged exposure to air and often to darken in color.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] ox′i•dise′. 

• oxide + -ize 1795–1805

ox′i•diz′a•ble, ox•i•da•ble  (ok′si də bəl), adj.  ox′i•diz′a•bil′i•ty, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

oxidize, oxidise / ˈɒksɪˌdaɪz/ verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen, as in formation of an oxide
2. to form or cause to form a layer of metal oxide, as in rusting
3. to lose or cause to lose hydrogen atoms
4. to undergo or cause to undergo a decrease in the number of electrons
   Compare reduce12c

ˌoxidiˈzation, ˌoxidiˈsation noun