liquefy

This term describes a phase transition from a solid or gaseous state into a liquid. It is most frequently employed in scientific, industrial, or geological contexts, such as the processing of metals or the behavior of soil during an earthquake. It carries a clinical, technical tone compared to the more common word "melt." While "melt" usually implies the application of heat to a solid, "liquefy" can also encompass the process of turning a gas into a liquid through pressure or cooling, as seen in the production of liquefied natural gas.