English Reference
noun · adjective

condensate

n. · adj.
US /ˈkɑndənˌseɪt/ UK /kəndˈɛnseɪt/ con·den·sate UK spelling condensates

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    n.the liquid that forms when a gas, like steam, cools down and turns back into water.

    n.a liquid produced by the condensation of a gas or vapour, such as water collected from steam.

    Simple

    The technician drained the condensate from the cooling pipes to prevent rust.

    In context

    Engineers must regularly monitor the accumulation of condensate within the heat exchanger to ensure the system maintains peak thermal efficiency.

    distillateliquid
  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    n.a substance created during a specific type of chemical reaction where two molecules join together.

    n.the product resulting from a condensation reaction, typically involving the union of two molecules with the elimination of a smaller molecule.

    Simple

    The chemist analysed the condensate to see if the reaction was successful.

    In context

    The resulting condensate was purified through multiple stages of filtration before being subjected to mass spectrometry for structural verification.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    n.a special state of matter that happens when atoms are cooled to very low temperatures.

    n.a macroscopic quantum state formed by particles cooled to temperatures near absolute zero, such as a Bose-Einstein condensate.

    Simple

    Scientists studied the condensate to learn how atoms behave at extreme cold.

    In context

    The laboratory successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate, allowing researchers to observe quantum phenomena on a scale visible to the naked eye.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Archaic

    adj.an old word meaning something has been made thick or solid.

    adj.made dense or condensed. This adjectival form is restricted to historical or archaic contexts.

    Simple

    The air felt condensate and heavy before the storm began.

    In context

    The poet described the condensate mist that clung to the moor, obscuring the path from even the most experienced travellers.

It said the facility's petroleum products and gas condensate were being used by Russia to continue its war effort.

BBC News· 9 Sept 2026

It's a tool researchers can use to better understand cellular physiology and identify chemicals that can target disease-related condensates.

Phys.org· 14 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From condense + -ate (noun-forming suffix). Alternatively, back-formation from condensation.

Etymology 2

First attested circa 1550; borrowed from Latin condēnsātus, perfect passive participle of condēnsō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated