Get the details behind our redesign


[kon-den-sey-shuh n, -duh n-] /ˌkɒn dɛnˈseɪ ʃən, -dən-/
the act of condensing; the state of being condensed.
the result of being made more compact or dense.
reduction of a book, speech, statement, or the like, to a shorter or terser form; abridgment.
a condensed form:
Did you read the whole book or just a condensation?
a condensed mass.
(in nontechnical usage) condensate.
the act or process of reducing a gas or vapor to a liquid or solid form.
Chemistry. a reaction between two or more organic molecules leading to the formation of a larger molecule and the elimination of a simple molecule such as water or alcohol.
Meteorology. the process by which atmospheric water vapor liquefies to form fog, clouds, or the like, or solidifies to form snow or hail.
Psychoanalysis. the representation of two or more ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses by one word or image, as in a person's humor, accidental slips, or dreams.
Physics. the relative amount by which the density of an elastic medium varies from its average value as a sound wave passes through it.
1595-1605; < Late Latin condēnsātiōn- (stem of condēnsātiō), equivalent to condēnsāt(us) condensate + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
condensational, adjective
condensative, adjective
noncondensation, noun
overcondensation, noun
precondensation, noun
recondensation, noun
subcondensation, noun
uncondensational, adjective Unabridged
Cite This Source
British Dictionary definitions for subcondensation


the act or process of condensing, or the state of being condensed
anything that has condensed from a vapour, esp on a window
(chem) a type of reaction in which two organic molecules combine to form a larger molecule as well as a simple molecule such as water, methanol, etc
anything that has been shortened, esp an abridged version of a book
  1. the fusion of two or more ideas, etc, into one symbol, occurring esp in dreams
  2. the reduction of many experiences into one word or action, as in a phobia
Derived Forms
condensational, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for subcondensation
c.1600, "action of becoming more dense," from L. condensationem, noun of action from condensare (see condense). Meaning "conversion of a gas to a liquid" is from 1614.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
subcondensation in Medicine

condensation con·den·sa·tion (kŏn'děn-sā'shən, -dən-)

  1. The act of making more solid or dense. Also called compression.

  2. The process by which a gas or vapor changes to a liquid.

  3. The liquid formed when a gas is condensed.

  4. The psychological process by which a single symbol or word is associated with the emotional content of a group of ideas, feelings, memories, or impulses, especially as expressed in dreams.

  5. The dental process of packing a filling material into a cavity.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Cite This Source
subcondensation in Science
The change of a gas or vapor to a liquid, either by cooling or by being subjected to increased pressure. When water vapor cools in the atmosphere, for example, it condenses into tiny drops of water, which form clouds.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Cite This Source

Word of The Day

Difficulty index for condensation

Most English speakers likely know this word

Word Value for subcondensation

Scrabble Words With Friends