Oxidize

v. add oxygen to, unite with oxygen (e.g. burn); be united with oxygen; rust, corrode (also oxidise)

Redox (shorthand for reduction/oxidation reaction) describes all chemical reactions in which atoms have their oxidation number (oxidation state) changed.This can be either a simple redox process such as the oxidation of carbon to yield carbon dioxide, or the reduction of carbon by hydrogen to yield methane (CH4), or it can be a complex process such as the oxidation of sugar in the human body through a series of very complex electron transfer processes.
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Verb
1. enter into a combination with oxygen or become converted into an oxide; "This metal oxidizes easily"
(synonym) oxidise, oxidate
(hypernym) change
(hyponym) rust
(verb-group) oxidise, oxidate
(derivation) oxidation, oxidization, oxidisation
2. add oxygen to or combine with oxygen
(synonym) oxidise, oxidate
(antonym) deoxidize, deoxidise, reduce
(hypernym) change, alter, modify
(hyponym) catabolize, catabolise
(verb-group) oxidise, oxidate
(derivation) oxidation, oxidization, oxidisation
(classification) chemistry, chemical science

(v. t.)
To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous chloride to mercuric chloride.
  

(v. t.)
To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
  

(v. t.)
To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent.
  

(v. t.)
To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric acid.
  

To chemically transform a substance by combining it with oxygen. See chemical reaction.