Definitions for: Saponification

[n] a chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap)

Webster (1913) Definition: Sa*pon`i*fi*ca"tion, n. [Cf. F. saponification.
See Saponify.]
The act, process, or result, of soap making; conversion into
soap; specifically (Chem.), the decomposition of fats and
other ethereal salts by alkalies; as, the saponification of
ethyl acetate.

See Also: chemical reaction, reaction