1. to convert (a carboxylic acid or alcohol) into an ester, typically through a chemical reaction
Usage: chemistry; third person singular present tense of 'esterify'

Examples

• The chemist esterifies the fatty acid with ethanol to produce the desired compound.
• When acetic acid esterifies with methanol, it forms methyl acetate.
• The reaction esterifies the carboxylic acid groups in the polymer chain.
• Heat and a catalyst help esterify the mixture more efficiently.
• The enzyme esterifies the substrate to create a new chemical bond.