bleaching
n. uncountable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɫitʃɪŋ// UK //blˈiːtʃɪŋ// bleach·ing
n. the process of making something white or much lighter by using chemicals or strong sunlight.
n. the process of removing colour from a substance or surface through chemical treatment or exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
The sun caused the bleaching of the old curtains.
Rising ocean temperatures have led to widespread coral bleaching, leaving the reefs white and vulnerable to disease.
Industrial bleaching of wood pulp is a critical step in paper manufacturing, though modern methods aim to reduce the environmental impact of the chemicals used.
Usage
Often used as a gerund to describe the chemical process or the environmental phenomenon in coral reefs.