dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈa-lə-səs 
plural dialyses
dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
Examples of dialysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These numbers are not abstractions to me; my own mother died on dialysis while waiting for a kidney.
—
Nancy Marlin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
For 13 days, Colton stayed on dialysis at the hospital, initially unable to eat or drink.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Rappaport also has to be on dialysis for renal function and impairment, according to the complaint.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
The boy’s condition forced him to undergo dialysis for two weeks — including on his 10th birthday, the complaint said.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
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Nancy Marlin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
For 13 days, Colton stayed on dialysis at the hospital, initially unable to eat or drink.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Rappaport also has to be on dialysis for renal function and impairment, according to the complaint.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
The boy’s condition forced him to undergo dialysis for two weeks — including on his 10th birthday, the complaint said.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially
: such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein
Medical Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:
a
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
b
: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane
called also peritoneal dialysis
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