hy·dro·ge·nate
hī-ˈdrä-jə-ˌnāt 
ˈhī-drə-
ˈhī-drə-
hydrogenated; hydrogenating
: to combine or treat with or expose to hydrogen
especially
: to add hydrogen to the molecule of (an unsaturated organic compound)
hy·dro·gen·a·tion
ˌhīdrə̇jə̇ˈnāshən
hīˌdräjə̇ˈ-
plural -s
: the process of hydrogenating: such as
a
: the addition of hydrogen to the molecule of an unsaturated organic compound usually in the presence of a catalyst (as nickel) and often at elevated temperature and pressure
hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane
b
: a decomposition (as of hydrocarbons) at high temperature and pressure with addition of hydrogen to the molecules formed : hydrogenolysis
hydrogenation of coal to gasoline and oils
called also destructive hydrogenation
Examples of hydrogenate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
The other form, metallic palladium (Pd⁰), takes over afterward, hydrogenating the resulting fragments into stable compounds like cyclohexanol and cyclohexane.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
And scan the nutrition labels and avoid peanut butters that have hydrogenated oils, which are unhealthy fats that are added to keep peanut butter from separating or going bad quickly, Sasson says.
—Sophia Gottfried, Time, 23 May 2018
These days, many try to avoid white bread and hydrogenated fats.
—Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017
Although Trader Joe's doesn't label itself as a health food store, none of its private-label products have hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, preservatives, synthetic colors or GMOs.
—Lucy Berry, AL.com, 19 July 2017
All of the produce is organic, the dairy products pasture based, the eggs from free-range chickens, the meat antibiotic-free and all food free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.
—Emilie Rusch, The Denver Post, 31 May 2017
Our pomades contain pure ingredients such as bentonite, which is mineral enriching for the hair, and hydrogenated castor oil, which works as a non-sticky wax to hold shape.
—Scott Christian, Esquire, 3 Mar. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Made with real cream and no artificial sweeteners, each 52-ounce carton is also carrageenan and hydrogenated oil-free.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
The other form, metallic palladium (Pd⁰), takes over afterward, hydrogenating the resulting fragments into stable compounds like cyclohexanol and cyclohexane.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
And scan the nutrition labels and avoid peanut butters that have hydrogenated oils, which are unhealthy fats that are added to keep peanut butter from separating or going bad quickly, Sasson says.
—Sophia Gottfried, Time, 23 May 2018
These days, many try to avoid white bread and hydrogenated fats.
—Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017
Although Trader Joe's doesn't label itself as a health food store, none of its private-label products have hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, preservatives, synthetic colors or GMOs.
—Lucy Berry, AL.com, 19 July 2017
All of the produce is organic, the dairy products pasture based, the eggs from free-range chickens, the meat antibiotic-free and all food free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.
—Emilie Rusch, The Denver Post, 31 May 2017
Our pomades contain pure ingredients such as bentonite, which is mineral enriching for the hair, and hydrogenated castor oil, which works as a non-sticky wax to hold shape.
—Scott Christian, Esquire, 3 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Hydrogenate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogenate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydrogenate
verb
hy·dro·ge·nate
hī-ˈdräj-ə-ˌnāt
ˈhī-drə-jə-
hydrogenated; hydrogenating
: to combine or treat with hydrogen
especially
: to add hydrogen to a molecule of
hydrogenate a vegetable oil to form a fat
Medical Definition
hydrogenate
transitive verb
hy·dro·ge·nate
hī-ˈdräj-ə-ˌnāt
ˈhī-drə-jə-
ˈhī-drə-jə-
hydrogenated; hydrogenating
: to combine or treat with or expose to hydrogen
especially
: to add hydrogen to the molecule of (an unsaturated organic compound)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
