oxidize

verb

• combine chemically with oxygen: [with object]:when coal is burnt any sulphur is oxidized to sulphur dioxide [no object]:the fats in the food will oxidize, turning it rancid
• Chemistry undergo or cause to undergo a reaction in which electrons are lost to another species: [with object]:iron ( ii) compounds are slowly oxidized by air to form iron ( iii) compounds [no object]:secondary alcohols oxidize to give ketonesThe opposite of reduce.