oxi·dize oxidizes oxidizing oxidized in BRIT, also use oxidise When a substance is oxidized or when it oxidizes, it changes chemically because of the effect of oxygen on it. Aluminium is rapidly oxidized in air The original white lead pigments have oxidized and turned black. to combine with oxygen, or make something combine with oxygen, especially in a way that causes rust oxidization
To combine with oxygen, to dehydrogenate especially by the action of oxygen, to change (a compound) by increasing the proportion of the electronegative part or change (an element or ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence, remove one or more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule)
[v] To convert an element to its oxide by combining it with oxygen For example, one of the naturally occurring oxides of iron (Fe) is ferric oxide (Fe2 O3), also called rust or hematite
To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous chloride to mercuric chloride