treated

Treated is the past participle of treat, used as an adjective to describe something that has undergone a process designed to alter its properties, appearance, or suitability for a purpose. The sense is procedural rather than intrinsic.

In medicine and healthcare, "treated" refers to the administration of therapy or care intended to relieve symptoms, cure disease, or manage a condition: a patient who has been treated. The effectiveness and outcome of treatment vary by condition and method.

In materials science and construction, many materials are described as treated. Wood may be chemically treated to resist moisture and pests. Metals may undergo heat treatment, such as annealing, quenching, or tempering, to change hardness and ductility. Textiles and plastics may be surface-treated to improve properties like water resistance or durability.

In environmental and public health contexts, water treatment removes contaminants from water supplies. Wastewater treatment processes reduce pollution before discharge. Soil and sediment may be chemically or biologically treated to neutralize hazards or restore fertility.

In agriculture and food safety, products may be treated to prolong shelf life or prevent spoilage, using processes that are regulated to ensure safety.

The term also appears in broader phrases like treated wood, treated surfaces, or treated textiles, signaling deliberate processing rather than a natural state. For etymology, see treat, treatment.