What process involves the decomposition of a chemical compound through reaction with water?

The process that involves the decomposition of a chemical compound through reaction with water is indeed hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a specific type of reaction where water is used to break chemical bonds within a compound, resulting in the breakdown of that compound into simpler components or other chemical species. This process is essential in various biological and chemical systems, including the digestion of food in our body and the degradation of complex molecules in the environment.

In this reaction, water contributes to the breakdown by providing the necessary components (H+ and OH- ions) that facilitate the separation of molecules. For example, in the hydrolysis of esters, water reacts with the ester to produce an alcohol and an acid.

Comparatively, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons from a molecule, while reduction is the gain of electrons. Polymerization involves the process of combining smaller units (monomers) to form a larger compound (polymer), neither of which directly relates to the reaction of a compound with water in the manner described in the question. Thus, hydrolysis specifically pertains to the reaction that includes water as a key participant in decomposing a compound.