# condensate

/ˈkɑndənˌseɪt/ (US) · /kəndˈɛnseɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/condensate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. liquid from gas

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The technician drained the condensate from the cooling pipes to prevent rust.
- Engineers must regularly monitor the accumulation of condensate within the heat exchanger to ensure the system maintains peak thermal efficiency.

### 2. chemical reaction product

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The chemist analysed the condensate to see if the reaction was successful.
- The resulting condensate was purified through multiple stages of filtration before being subjected to mass spectrometry for structural verification.

### 3. quantum state

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- Scientists studied the condensate to learn how atoms behave at extreme cold.
- The laboratory successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate, allowing researchers to observe quantum phenomena on a scale visible to the naked eye.

### 5. condensed

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

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

For teachers: made dense or condensed. This adjectival form is restricted to historical or archaic contexts.

- The air felt condensate and heavy before the storm began.
- The poet described the condensate mist that clung to the moor, obscuring the path from even the most experienced travellers.

## Examples

- The steam engine produces a lot of condensate.
- Engineers must regularly drain the condensate from the pipes to prevent corrosion and blockages in the system.
- In the distillation process, the vapor rises and cools upon reaching the glass coil, eventually forming a clear condensate that is collected in the final flask.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.