Definition

To heat a liquid, usually food or drink, to a specific temperature to kill harmful bacteria and make it safe to consume.

Example

The factory will pasteurize the milk before packaging it for sale.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you ever wondered how they pasteurize milk?

Yeah, I have! I think it makes it safer to drink.

Exactly! It's interesting how that process works.

For sure, it's amazing what science can do to our food.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pasteurize → It is formed from "Pasteur" (referring to Louis Pasteur, the scientist who developed the process) and "-ize" (a suffix meaning to make or to cause to become). The word "pasteurize" means to make a substance safe for consumption by heating it, a process named after Louis Pasteur.

Memory Tip

Think of Louis Pasteur, the scientist who made food and drinks safe by heating them — that's why we say to 'pasteurize' something.

Visually Confused Words