Deoxidation is a chemical process that involves the removal of oxygen from a substance or compound. There are several synonyms for the word deoxidation, including reduction, anaerobic, demetallization, desoxidation, and decarbonization. Reduction is a process that involves the addition of electrons to a substance, resulting in a decrease in its oxidation state. Anaerobic refers to a process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, while demetallization is the removal of metal ions from a compound. Desoxidation is simply another term for deoxidation, while decarbonization involves the removal of carbon from a substance. These synonyms are useful in discussing the various processes involved in the removal of oxygen from a substance.