What is "hydrogenate"

Hydrogenate \Hy"dro*gen*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hydrogenated; p. pr. & vb. n. Hydrogenating.] (Chem.) To hydrogenize.

1809, from hydrogen + -ate (2). Related: Hydrogenated; hydrogenation.

vb. (context chemistry transitive English) to treat something, or react something, with hydrogen; especially to react an unsaturated fat with hydrogen, in the presence of a nickel catalyst, to produce a harder saturated fat

v. combine or treat with or expose to hydrogen, especially to add hydrogen to the molecule of (an unsaturated organic compound) [ant: dehydrogenate]