vb, -drat*ed  -drat*ing  vt 1  :  to remove bound water or hydrogen and oxygen from (a chemical compound) in the proportion in which they form water  2  :  to remove water from (as foods) vi  :  to lose water or body fluids de*hy*dra*tor n 
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  deu·ter·ate  di·hy·drate  dot·ard  tet·rad 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.