descale

verb

de·​scale (ˌ)dē-ˈskāl How to pronounce descale (audio)
descaled; descaling; descales

transitive verb

1
: to remove a coating, layer, or incrustation from : to free from scale (see scale entry 3 sense 3)
To descale the kettle, fill it with equal parts water and vinegar and let it soak for an hour before making sure it's been properly rinsed out.Sarra Gray
2
: to remove scales (see scale entry 3 sense 1a) from
You can, of course, ask the fishmonger to gut and descale the fish for you.Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Examples of descale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Does the manual offer tips or instructions for descaling the kettle after a certain number of uses? Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 11 Oct. 2024 Plus, the self-cleaning mode saves you the hassle of having to descale the machine on a regular basis. Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024 That’s why de-concentration does not imply descaling or fragmentation. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 2 July 2024 Reviewers noted that this machine needs a bit more maintenance (GE recommends cleaning once per week and descaling every three weeks). Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024 Surveys and investment plans make clear that few MNCs are leaving, or even descaling their China engagement. Kenneth Dewoskin, Fortune, 15 May 2024 Magnetic water softeners also descale via their electromagnetic coils that filter out minerals. Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2023 This model features a light-up button that denotes whether more water is needed and a button for descaling the machine. Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023 Instead, the unit works to descale your water by using electrical pulses. Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'descale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

de- + scale entry 3

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of descale was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near descale

Cite this Entry

“Descale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/descale. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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