pyrolysis

[ pahy-rol-uh-sis ]
/ paɪˈrɒl ə sɪs /

noun Chemistry.

the subjection of organic compounds to very high temperatures.
the resulting decomposition.

Origin of pyrolysis

First recorded in 1885–90; pyro- + -lysis

OTHER WORDS FROM pyrolysis

py·ro·lyt·ic [pahy-ruh-lit-ik] /ˌpaɪ rəˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby pyrolysis

pyroligneous acid, pyroligneous alcohol, pyrolize, pyrolusite, pyrolyse, pyrolysis, pyromagnetic, pyromancy, pyromania, pyrometallurgy, pyrometer

British Dictionary definitions for pyrolysis

pyrolysis
/ (paɪˈrɒlɪsɪs) /

noun

the application of heat to chemical compounds in order to cause decomposition
chemical decomposition of compounds caused by high temperatures

Derived forms of pyrolysis

pyrolytic (ˌpaɪrəʊˈlɪtɪk), adjective

Medical definitions for pyrolysis

pyrolysis
[ pī-rŏl′ĭ-sĭs ]

n.

Decomposition or transformation of a chemical compound caused by heat.