noun

sublimation

sub-li-MAY-shun

Sublimation (noun) means the change of a solid directly into a gas without passing through a liquid stage, and sometimes the reverse change from gas straight to solid. Example: “Dry ice does not melt; it disappears by sublimation into carbon dioxide gas.”

noun

The change of a solid directly into a gas without passing through a liquid stage, and sometimes the reverse change from gas straight to solid.

"Dry ice does not melt; it disappears by sublimation into carbon dioxide gas."

"Snow can vanish from a mountainside by sublimation even when the temperature never rises above freezing."

In psychology, the process of redirecting an urge that cannot be acted on directly — often an aggressive or sexual one — into an activity that is socially acceptable or creative.

"He described his boxing as a sublimation of a temper he could not otherwise control."

technical A printing method in which solid dye is turned into gas by heat and bonded into fabric or a coated surface.

"The mugs are decorated by dye sublimation, so the image will not peel."

How to use sublimation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhen a solid turns straight into gas without melting first.

When to use it

Chemistry sense is the everyday one; the psychology sense belongs to Freudian theory and appears mainly in academic writing.

Memory tip

The adjective sublime ("magnificent") is related in origin but unrelated in meaning — do not read "sublimation" as "making something wonderful".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

evaporation → deposition → sublime →

Common pairings

dye sublimation sublimation point undergo sublimation heat of sublimation

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Dry ice does not melt; it disappears by _____ into carbon dioxide gas.

Etymology

From Latin sublimare "to raise up, elevate", from sublimis "lofty, uplifted".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

vaporisation redirection channelling

Antonyms

deposition condensation

Related words

steam testimony moisture compression overthrow deposition contraction vapour

Rhymes for sublimation

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension

See all rhymes for sublimation →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between sublimation and evaporation?

Evaporation is a liquid turning into a gas, such as a puddle drying up. Sublimation skips the liquid stage entirely, going straight from solid to gas — dry ice and mothballs are the standard examples.

What is the opposite of sublimation?

Deposition, sometimes called desublimation: a gas turning directly into a solid without becoming liquid first. Frost forming on a cold window is deposition.

Is sublimation endothermic or exothermic?

Endothermic. Breaking a solid apart into free gas molecules requires energy, so a subliming substance absorbs heat from its surroundings — which is why dry ice feels intensely cold.

What is the meaning of sublimation?

"sublimation" (noun) means the change of a solid directly into a gas without passing through a liquid stage, and sometimes the reverse change from gas straight to solid.

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