1. to decompose or break down (a substance) by heating to a high temperature in the absence of oxygen
Usage: chiefly British spelling; American English typically uses 'pyrolyze'; technical term used in chemistry and materials science

Examples

• The plastic waste is pyrolysed at high temperatures to produce fuel.
• Scientists pyrolyse organic compounds to study their chemical structure.
• The process pyrolyses biomass into useful energy products.
• Industrial facilities pyrolyse coal to extract valuable chemicals.
• When wood is pyrolysed without oxygen, it produces charcoal and gases.