distillation Definition
- 1the process of purifying a liquid by heating it until it becomes a gas and then cooling and collecting the drops of liquid that form
- 2the process of obtaining the essence or an extract of something
Using distillation: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "distillation" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Distillation is used to purify water.
Example
The distillation of crude oil produces gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.
Example
The distillation of lavender flowers produces essential oil.
distillation Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for distillation
Phrases with distillation
a process of separating a mixture of liquids into its individual components based on their boiling points
Example
Fractional distillation is used in the production of alcoholic beverages.
a process of distilling a substance with steam to extract its volatile components
Example
Steam distillation is used in the production of essential oils from plants.
a process of separating a mixture of liquids into its individual components based on their boiling points, typically used for separating liquids with a large difference in boiling points
Example
Simple distillation is used in the purification of water.
Origins of distillation
from Latin 'distillare', meaning 'to drip'
Summary: distillation in Brief
Distillation [ˌdɪstəˈleɪʃən] is a process of purifying a liquid by heating it until it becomes a gas and then cooling and collecting the drops of liquid that form. It is also used to obtain the essence or an extract of something. Examples include the purification of water and the production of essential oils. Distillation can be simple, fractional, or steam-based.