Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "pyrolysis" [pyrolysis]

  • Decomposition or transformation of a compound caused by heat. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "pyrolysis" in a sentence
  • "The process, known as pyrolysis, is similar to how charcoal is made."
  • "Using an old scientific process called pyrolysis (which is cooking biomass like manure without the presence of oxygen), futuresettlerscould turn this smelly chicken manure into biochar (which is a charcoal like product)."
  • "Using a process called pyrolysis, the waste plastics are heated in the absence of air, causing a breakdown of the molecular bonds."