dialysis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “dialysis” mean?
A medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
In chemistry, a process of separating particles in a liquid solution by differences in their ability to pass through a semipermeable membrane.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical medical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dialysis” in a Sentence
patient undergoes dialysisdialysis for kidney failuretreatment by dialysisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dialysis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient was dialysed three times a week.
- They dialyse him at the hospital.
American English
- The patient was dialyzed three times a week.
- They dialyze him at the clinic.
adjective
British English
- The dialysis unit was fully equipped.
- She attended a dialysis appointment.
American English
- The dialysis center was modern.
- He missed his dialysis session.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical or medical device industries.
Academic
Common in medical and biochemistry papers.
Everyday
Used when discussing health conditions of self or others.
Technical
Core term in nephrology and clinical chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dialysis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dialysis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dialysis”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈdaɪ.ə.lɪsɪs/ (wrong stress).
- Using 'dialysis' to refer to any medical test or analysis.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, dialysis is a treatment that performs the function of the kidneys; it is not a cure. A kidney transplant is the closest option to a cure.
It typically requires sessions 3-4 times per week, with each session lasting several hours.
Hemodialysis filters blood through an external machine, while peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the patient's own abdomen as a filter.
Many people live active lives while on dialysis, though it requires a strict treatment schedule and significant adjustments to diet and lifestyle.
A medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Dialysis is usually technical/medical in register.
Dialysis: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˈæl.ɪ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈæl.ə.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tied to a dialysis machine”
- “On dialysis”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIA (through) + LYSIS (splitting apart) → splitting waste from blood through a membrane.
Conceptual Metaphor
The body's external kidney; a life-support filter.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of medical dialysis?