Especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol

• A process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol [syn: zymosis , fermentation , fermenting , ferment ]

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Zymolysis \Zy*mol"y*sis\, n. [NL. See Zyme , and Lysis .] (Physiol. Chem.) The action of enzymes, such as digestion or fermentation; also, the changes produced by such action. -- Zy`mo*lyt"ic , a.

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry English) The action of enzymes in breaking down organic substances during fermentation