# bleaching

/ˈbɫitʃɪŋ/ (US) · /blˈiːtʃɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bleaching
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

the process of making something white or much lighter by using chemicals or strong sunlight.

For teachers: the process of removing colour from a substance or surface through chemical treatment or exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

## Examples

- 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 notes

- Often used as a gerund to describe the chemical process or the environmental phenomenon in coral reefs.

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