noun

purification

pyoor-ih-fih-KAY-shuhn/ˌpjʊrɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

The removal of impurities or contaminants.

Water purification removes harmful substances before the water reaches homes.

A simple water-filtration setup visibly separates dirt from water: muddy water passes through filter paper in a glass funnel, sediment stays in the paper, and clear drops collect in a clean glass vessel below.

Etymology

puriLatinpure

+ficLatinto make

+ationLatinaction or process

The pieces express the process of ‘making pure.’ English first used the noun for ritual or spiritual cleansing, then broadened it to freeing something from dirt or other impurities.

In context

MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)44:50

the process of purification we are to purge The Vices of the Soul we are to work on not getting angry so much not being jealous

Speaking for Ourselves: A Panel of Your East Bay Muslim Neighbors

More examples

The air purification system traps dust and pollen.
The chemical needs further purification before use in medicines.
We pack water purification tablets for our camping trip.

Forms

purification · purifications

purify verb — To remove unwanted or harmful substances.

purifier noun — A device that removes impurities from something.

Similar words

filtration: Specifically uses a filter to separate out unwanted material.
refining: Emphasizes improving a material's quality by removing unwanted components.