noun
reduction
A chemical process in which a substance gains electrons or loses oxygen.
During reduction, copper ions gain electrons and become copper metal.
Etymology
The original image is bringing back, as when a metal was recovered from an ore or oxide. Chemistry generalized the process to electron gain.
More examples
- The reduction of iron oxide removes oxygen and produces iron.
- Reduction occurs at the cathode of an electrochemical cell.
- One substance undergoes reduction while another undergoes oxidation.
Forms
Similar words
- deoxygenation
- Specifically describes oxygen removal, rather than electron gain generally.