distilled water
Low-mediumTechnical/Formal/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
Water that has been purified by boiling it into vapour and then condensing it back into liquid, removing impurities and minerals.
A highly pure form of water used in contexts where mineral content or contaminants would be problematic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers specifically to water purified through distillation, not other purification methods like filtration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; the term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical purity, laboratory-grade, or medically sterile.
Frequency
Similar frequency; slightly higher in US due to more common use in automotive and appliance contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + for + NP (distilled water for batteries)Prep + NP (in distilled water)V + NP (use distilled water)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Required in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics manufacturing, and electronics production.
Academic
Used in chemistry and biology labs for experiments and solution preparation.
Everyday
Used in steam irons, car batteries, and some aquariums.
Technical
Essential in medical procedures, laboratory analysis, and industrial processes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They distilled the local spring water to remove limescale.
- The process distills water by boiling and condensation.
American English
- We need to distill the water before using it in the experiment.
- The company distills millions of gallons of water annually.
adjective
British English
- The distilled water carafe was placed on the bench.
- Use only a distilled water solution for cleaning.
American English
- She bought a gallon of distilled water from the store.
- The distilled water fill port is clearly marked.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- You should use distilled water in the iron.
- This battery needs distilled water.
- The chemist used distilled water to prepare the solution.
- You can buy distilled water at the supermarket.
- Using distilled water prevents mineral buildup in laboratory equipment.
- The protocol specifies that reagents must be dissolved in distilled water.
- The purity of the distilled water was verified by its consistent conductivity measurement.
- Pharmacopoeial standards mandate the use of highly purified distilled water for injectable formulations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STILL (as in moonshine still) making water pure: DIS-TILL-ED water.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY AS DISTILLATION (The essence is separated from the corrupting elements).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'дистиллированная вода' when referring to general 'purified' or 'filtered' water (e.g., in bottles). The Russian term is a correct direct translation but is used more broadly.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'distilled water' interchangeably with 'filtered water' or 'spring water'.
- Pronouncing 'distilled' with stress on the first syllable (/ˈdɪstɪld/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical use for distilled water?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it lacks minerals found in tap or mineral water. Drinking it exclusively is not recommended as it may lead to mineral deficiencies.
Distillation removes impurities by boiling and condensation. Deionization uses ion-exchange resins to remove mineral ions. Both are pure, but methods differ.
The minerals in tap water can cause corrosion and reduce battery life. Distilled water prevents this mineral buildup.
Distilled water is a TYPE of purified water, but 'purified water' is a broader category that can include water cleaned by reverse osmosis or filtration.