oxidation state: Meaning and Definition of

oxida'tion state"

Pronunciation: [key]
— Chem. Chem.
  1. the state of an element or ion in a compound with regard to the electrons gained or lost by the element or ion in the reaction that formed the compound, expressed as a positive or negative number indicating the ionic charge of the element or ion. Also called
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.