In the reaction ‘Oxidation’, does it lose electrons or gain them?

Question: In the reaction 'Oxidation', does it lose electrons or gain them?
- Keywords:
  chemistry,
  electron,
  oxidation,
  reaction
Asked by eardm004 to Daphne, Darren, Jon, Katherine on 21 Mar 2012.
- Daphne Ng answered on 21 Mar 2012:
  
  Oxidation refers to a loss of electrons, reduction refers to a gain in electrons. Both always happen at the same time as they cannot exist without each other!
- Katherine Haxton answered on 21 Mar 2012:
  
  Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain = OILRIG

Question: In the reaction 'Oxidation', does it lose electrons or gain them?