: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water. Other Words from hydrolysis. hydrolytic \ ˌhī-​drə-​ˈlit-​ik \ adjective. hydrolytically \ -​i-​k(ə-​)lē \ adverb.

What does hydrolysis literally mean?

Hydrolysis literally means reaction with water. ... The most common hydrolysis occurs when a salt of a weak acid or weak base (or both) is dissolved in water. Water autoionizes into negative hydroxyl ions and hydrogen ions. The salt breaks down into positive and negative ions.

What is hydrolysis example?

Dissolving a salt of a weak acid or base in water is an example of a hydrolysis reaction. Strong acids may also be hydrolyzed. For example, dissolving sulfuric acid in water yields hydronium and bisulfate.