oxygenate

Everyday

1. To add oxygen to something, such as water or blood. tree →
2. (oxygenated, adjective) Containing oxygen: "oxygenated blood". tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, the lungs oxygenate the blood; oxygenated blood (bright red) goes from the heart to the body. Pond plants and air pumps oxygenate water for fish. Waterfalls and waves also oxygenate rivers. Phrases: oxygenate the blood, oxygenated water.

Examples

• The lungs oxygenate the blood with every breath. tree →
• Pond weed helps to oxygenate the water. tree →
• A pump oxygenates the water in our class fish tank. tree →
• Oxygenated blood flows from the heart to the muscles. tree →
• Waterfalls oxygenate the river as the water splashes. tree →
• Exercise makes your heart pump oxygenated blood faster. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Oxygen + -ate. Opposite: deoxygenated (blood that has given up its oxygen and returns to the heart). Myth: blood inside you is never blue; it is darker red when it has less oxygen.