DEMINERALIZATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does demineralization mean? 

• DEMINERALIZATION (noun)
  The noun DEMINERALIZATION has 2 senses:

1. abnormal loss of mineral salts (especially from bone)

2. the removal of minerals and mineral salts from a liquid (especially from water)

  Familiarity information: DEMINERALIZATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEMINERALIZATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Abnormal loss of mineral salts (especially from bone)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

demineralisation; demineralization

Hypernyms ("demineralization" is a kind of...):

pathology (any deviation from a healthy or normal condition)

Holonyms ("demineralization" is a part of...):

osteomalacia (abnormal softening of bones caused by deficiencies of phosphorus or calcium or vitamin D)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The removal of minerals and mineral salts from a liquid (especially from water)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

demineralisation; demineralization

Hypernyms ("demineralization" is a kind of...):

chemical action; chemical change; chemical process ((chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved)

Derivation:

demineralize (remove the minerals or salts from)

 Context examples 

Moreover, this agent has shown a demineralization effect on dentin.

(Herbal Polysaccharide Saliva Substitute, NCI Thesaurus)

The use of an acid to condition tooth structure, resulting in a superficial demineralization.

(Acid Etching, NCI Thesaurus)