Real Dictionary

pasteurization in American English
a method of destroying disease-producing bacteria and checking the activity of fermentative bacteria, as in milk, beer, or cider, by heating the liquid to a prescribed temperature for a specified period of time

pasteurization in British English
noun: the process of heating beverages, such as milk, beer, wine, or cider, or solid foods, such as cheese or crab meat, to destroy harmful or undesirable microorganisms or to limit the rate of fermentation by the application of controlled heat