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
Commercial juicers can often extract more tannins and concentrate them with pasteurization.
—
Md Published,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2026
But his days of producing milk for pasteurization were short-lived; within a few months of meeting Stewart, McAfee converted his dairy to sell only raw milk.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
But his days of producing milk for pasteurization were short-lived; within a few months of meeting Stewart, McAfee converted his dairy to sell only raw milk.
—
Annie Waldman,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
Making the powder involves several steps, including milk testing and pasteurization, the separation of curds and whey, draining and pasteurizing the liquid whey, and then sending it to a processing facility to remove more liquid via evaporation and spray drying.
—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pasteurization
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Md Published,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2026
But his days of producing milk for pasteurization were short-lived; within a few months of meeting Stewart, McAfee converted his dairy to sell only raw milk.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
But his days of producing milk for pasteurization were short-lived; within a few months of meeting Stewart, McAfee converted his dairy to sell only raw milk.
—
Annie Waldman,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
Making the powder involves several steps, including milk testing and pasteurization, the separation of curds and whey, draining and pasteurizing the liquid whey, and then sending it to a processing facility to remove more liquid via evaporation and spray drying.
—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pasteurization
Cite this Entry
“Pasteurization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasteurization. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
