to oxidate

1 8.5

To combine with oxygen, for example when metal forms rust

verb
/ˈɑksɪˌdeɪt/

Specialized

: oxidar

During the experiment, the metal began to oxidate when exposed to air.

Examples

So is it a good oxidating oxidizing agent?
The process of fruit ripening involves the oxidate of certain compounds.
Chemists often study how various substances oxidate in different environments.

Synonyms

to oxygenate

vsto oxidate

Specialized

10 5.8

To add oxygen to something like water, blood, or wine

is more about combining oxygen by chemical process rather than supplying it

to oxidize

vsto oxidate

Specialized

6 6.1

To join with oxygen, often causing metal to rust or fruit to brown

is used for adding oxygen generally, especially as a chemical process

to oxygenize

vsto oxidate

Specialized

1 7.3

To add oxygen to something like water or blood to help living things

focuses more on chemical combination rather than on supplying oxygen

Antonyms

to reduce

Specialized

3 6.6

In chemistry, to add hydrogen or remove oxygen from a substance

Surface Forms

oxidate infinitive

oxidated past

oxidated past participle

oxidating present participle

oxidates third person singular

Morphology

oxidate = oxide (transparent) = oxide + ate

Formed by adding the productive verb-forming suffix '-ate' to 'oxide'; the resulting verb meaning 'to combine with oxygen' follows straightforwardly.

Etymology

Oxidate comes from oxygen and the ending -ate, so it means 'to add oxygen' or 'to combine with oxygen'. That's why metals like iron and copper oxidate when they meet air and water, for example iron turns to rust.