pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·i·za·tion
ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌpas-tyə-,
-tə-
1
: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance
2
: irradiation of food products
Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, there’s no strong evidence to support these claims, and pasteurization does not destroy the nutritional value of milk.4
Raw milk contributes to hundreds of infections in the U.S. each year.
—
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 May 2024
The tests needed to conclusively determine whether pasteurization kills H5N1 take time and involve injecting eggs with milk samples, but, according to the F.D.A., preliminary studies haven’t found any traces of live virus.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
The process of pasteurization became routine in the commercial milk supply in the U.S. in the 1920s and was widespread by the 1950s.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
Tests conducted by the USDA indicate that pasteurization—a process of heating milk to kill contaminants—deactivates any infectious virus within the milk.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
The agency says that the pasteurization process is designed to kill viruses like HPAI, and therefore advises against consuming any unpasteurized dairy products, such as raw milk.
—Alice Park, TIME, 3 May 2024
Researchers at the Ohio State University and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital also showed pasteurization to be effective.
—Rachel Cohrs Zhang Reprints, STAT, 2 May 2024
The process of pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, including any influenza viruses that may be present in the milk.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
There are different types of pasteurization, but the most commonly used in the US is High Temperature Short Time (HTST), which reaches a temperature range of 161–165°F (72–74°C) for 15 seconds, says Michael Doyle, a Regents Professor of food microbiology at the University of Georgia.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Feb. 2024
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 May 2024
The tests needed to conclusively determine whether pasteurization kills H5N1 take time and involve injecting eggs with milk samples, but, according to the F.D.A., preliminary studies haven’t found any traces of live virus.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
The process of pasteurization became routine in the commercial milk supply in the U.S. in the 1920s and was widespread by the 1950s.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
Tests conducted by the USDA indicate that pasteurization—a process of heating milk to kill contaminants—deactivates any infectious virus within the milk.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
The agency says that the pasteurization process is designed to kill viruses like HPAI, and therefore advises against consuming any unpasteurized dairy products, such as raw milk.
—Alice Park, TIME, 3 May 2024
Researchers at the Ohio State University and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital also showed pasteurization to be effective.
—Rachel Cohrs Zhang Reprints, STAT, 2 May 2024
The process of pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, including any influenza viruses that may be present in the milk.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
There are different types of pasteurization, but the most commonly used in the US is High Temperature Short Time (HTST), which reaches a temperature range of 161–165°F (72–74°C) for 15 seconds, says Michael Doyle, a Regents Professor of food microbiology at the University of Georgia.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pasteurization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pasteurization
Cite this Entry
“Pasteurization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasteurization. Accessed 13 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·i·za·tion
ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən
ˌpas-tə-
: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition
Medical Definition
pasteurization
noun
pas·teur·iza·tion
variants
also British pasteurisation
1
: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms
2
: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)
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