BLEACHING Definition & Meaning

bleaching

[ blee-ching ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the application of bleach or another chemical agent to something in order to whiten, lighten, clean, or disinfect:
Bleaching is not recommended for this fabric.
She gives her kitchen countertops a weekly bleaching.
the process of becoming whiter or lighter in color, such as by prolonged exposure to sunlight, the application of chemicals, or other means:
The bleaching of animal bones in the desert is a well-known phenomenon.
a loss of color in coral that indicates declining health: caused by a loss of the algae that normally live symbiotically in the coral's tissues.
Photography. the conversion of the silver image of a negative or print to a silver halide, either to remove the image or to change its tone.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bleaching¹

First recorded in 1550–60, bleaching fordef 1; 1970–75, bleaching fordef 3; bleach ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I noticed that many bleaching creams, with labels saying they were for babies, contained regulated substances.

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The textile conservator believed the stitching was polyester so unaffected by the bleaching.

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On its shores and in its seas, it feels like Barbados is under siege - dealing with issues from coral bleaching to coastal erosion.

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“While we were there, we witnessed the very first stages of a bleaching event,” Dempsey said, referring to when coral becomes dead and white due to stress.

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Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in improving the efficiency of an electrochemical reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide -- a vital chemical for industrial applications such as disinfection, bleaching, and sewage treatment.

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