Question

what do you mean by sponification reaction ?

Answer 1

Ester reacts in the presence of an acid or a base to give back the alcohol and carboxylic acid. This is called saponification reaction. This is reverse reaction of esterification reaction. 

CH3COOC2H5  + NaOH → CH3-COOH + CH3-CH2-OH

Answer 2

Medical Definition of saponification. 1 : the hydrolysis of a fat by an alkali with the formation of a soap and glycerol. 2 : the hydrolysis especially by an alkali of an ester into the corresponding alcohol and acid broadly : hydrolysis.