Real Dictionary

distillation in American English
a distilling; specif., the process of first heating a mixture to separate the more volatile from the less volatile parts, and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a more nearly pure or refined substance
noun: the volatilization or evaporation and subsequent condensation of a liquid, as when water is boiled in a retort and the steam is condensed in a cool receiver

distillation in British English
noun: the act, process, or product of distilling

distillation in Chemical Engineering
noun: Distillation is a separation process in which a gas and a liquid are brought into contact at a temperature and pressure that do not change.

distillation in the Oil and Gas Industry
noun: Distillation is a chemical process for separating the components of crude oil, according to their different boiling points.