noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/diːˌnætʃəˈɹeɪʃən/
1
noun
Meaning 1
The deliberate addition of a noxious substance to alcohol to make it unfit to drink
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The change of folding structure of a protein (and thus of physical properties) caused by heating, changes in pH, or exposure to certain chemicals.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Old French desnaturer French dénaturerbor. English denature Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English denaturation From denature + -ation.
Across languages
Translations
13 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
desnaturalització
— addition of a noxious substance to alcohol
Finnish:
denaturointi
— addition of a noxious substance to alcohol
Finnish:
denaturoiminen
— addition of a noxious substance to alcohol
Italian:
denaturazione
— addition of a noxious substance to alcohol
Swedish:
denaturering
— addition of a noxious substance to alcohol
Catalan:
desnaturalització
— change of folding structure of a protein
Finnish:
denaturoituminen
— change of folding structure of a protein
Greek:
μετουσίωση
(metousíosi)
— change of folding structure of a protein
Indonesian:
denaturasi
— change of folding structure of a protein
Italian:
denaturazione
— change of folding structure of a protein
Malay:
penyahaslian
— change of folding structure of a protein
Polish:
denaturacja
— change of folding structure of a protein
Swedish:
denaturering
— change of folding structure of a protein