aerosolize
verb
aero·sol·ize
ˈer-ə-ˌsä-ˌlīz 
-ˌsȯ-,
-sə-
aerosolized; aerosolizing; aerosolizes
: to disperse (something) as an aerosol : to convert or form into an aerosol
… high-energy laser pulses vaporize or aerosolize thin layers from the surface of a bulk sample …—
Nancy H. McGuire
Nancy H. McGuire… a battery-powered device that aerosolizes nicotine for inhalation but does not burn tobacco.—Nancy A. Rigotti
Nancy A. RigottiSpraying cleaning products into a shower stall and then turning on hot water aerosolizes all those chemicals into everything from bathroom walls to fabric.—Kathryn Matthews
Kathryn Matthews
aerosolized
adjective
aerosolized medications
Infection in humans occurs after inhalation of aerosolized virus or direct contact with infected rodents or their excreta.
—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association
Examples of aerosolize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smoke fumigation is not common practice in the United States, but is used frequently in China in place of pressure sprayers to aerosolize chemical treatments.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024
Because of the heavy viral load in milk and mammary glands, scientists suspect the virus is being spread to animals during the milking process, either through contact with infected equipment or with virus that becomes aerosolized during cleaning procedures.
—Julie Steenhuysen, Detroit Free Press, 23 May 2024
So there are things that grow deep in the soil or grow in the insides of plants and not things that would generally be aerosolized just by wind. More on Microbes How Microbes Help Clean Our Environment PM: How do these microbes get swept up in wildland fire smoke?
—Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023
Vaping As a Matter of Public Health Unlike traditional cigarettes, vapes or e-cigarettes function by aerosolizing a liquid cartridge that usually contains flavoring and nicotine—the same addictive substance in regular tobacco products.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 10 May 2023
Many health care providers initially hesitated to use such interventions for fear the pressurized air would aerosolize the virus and endanger health care workers.
—Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2020
The swab up the nose can aerosolize the virus to spread on air currents, potentially infecting others.
—Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2020
Oils from frying and sautéing can aerosolize (that’s how your counters end up with a fine layer of grease on them).
—Brianna Barbu, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2021
Research shows that a toilet flush can aerosolize pathogens, spreading them to nearby surfaces.
—Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2022
Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024
Because of the heavy viral load in milk and mammary glands, scientists suspect the virus is being spread to animals during the milking process, either through contact with infected equipment or with virus that becomes aerosolized during cleaning procedures.
—Julie Steenhuysen, Detroit Free Press, 23 May 2024
So there are things that grow deep in the soil or grow in the insides of plants and not things that would generally be aerosolized just by wind. More on Microbes How Microbes Help Clean Our Environment PM: How do these microbes get swept up in wildland fire smoke?
—Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023
Vaping As a Matter of Public Health Unlike traditional cigarettes, vapes or e-cigarettes function by aerosolizing a liquid cartridge that usually contains flavoring and nicotine—the same addictive substance in regular tobacco products.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 10 May 2023
Many health care providers initially hesitated to use such interventions for fear the pressurized air would aerosolize the virus and endanger health care workers.
—Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2020
The swab up the nose can aerosolize the virus to spread on air currents, potentially infecting others.
—Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2020
Oils from frying and sautéing can aerosolize (that’s how your counters end up with a fine layer of grease on them).
—Brianna Barbu, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2021
Research shows that a toilet flush can aerosolize pathogens, spreading them to nearby surfaces.
—Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aerosolize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Aerosolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerosolize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
aerosolize
transitive verb
aero·sol·ize
ˈar-ə-ˌsäl-ˌīz, ˈer-, -ˌsȯl-
aerosolized; aerosolizing
: to disperse (as a medicine, bactericide, or insecticide) as an aerosol
aerosolized pentamidine, which is sprayed directly into the lungs—C. C. Mann
C. C. Mann
aerosolizer
noun
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