Any chemical reaction in which a material gives up electrons, as when the material combines with oxygen. Burning is an example of rapid oxidation; rusting is an example of slow oxidation. (See combustion and reduction.)
oxidation ox·i·da·tion (ŏk'sĭ-dā'shən)
n.
The combination of a substance with oxygen.
A reaction in which the atoms in an element lose electrons and the valence of the element is correspondingly increased.
oxidation (ŏk'sĭ-dā'shən) Pronunciation Key
oxidative adjective |