verb

pasteurize

PAS-chuh-ryz

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Pasteurize (verb) means to heat food or drink to a temperature that kills harmful organisms such as bacteria without cooking it. Example: “The dairy pasteurizes all its milk before bottling it.”

verb

To heat food or drink to a temperature that kills harmful organisms such as bacteria without cooking it.

"The dairy pasteurizes all its milk before bottling it."

"Most shop-bought juice has been pasteurized for safety."

"Workers pasteurized the batch of cheese before it was packaged."

How to use pasteurize

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo pasteurize something is to heat it just enough to make it safe to consume.

When to use it

It is a standard word used in both everyday food labelling and technical food-safety contexts.

Memory tip

British English also spells it pasteurise, with an s instead of a z.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

pasteurize milk pasteurized juice pasteurize the batch

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “pasteurize” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The dairy _____ all its milk before bottling it.

Etymology

The verb was borrowed from French pasteuriser, itself formed from the name of Louis Pasteur, who invented the heating process, combined with the ending -ize.

Origin: English

Rhymes for pasteurize

size maize prize Belize utilize capsize realize baptize idolize optimize monetize colonize

See all rhymes for pasteurize →

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to pasteurize something?

It means heating a food or drink enough to kill harmful organisms such as bacteria, without fully cooking it.

Who is pasteurize named after?

It is named after Louis Pasteur, who invented the heating process.

Does pasteurizing make food completely sterile?

No. Pasteurizing kills harmful organisms such as bacteria, but it is not the same as full sterilization, and it does not cook the food.

What is the meaning of pasteurize?

"pasteurize" (verb) means to heat food or drink to a temperature that kills harmful organisms such as bacteria without cooking it.