osmosis
[ oz-moh-sis, os- ]
/ ɒzˈmoʊ sɪs, ɒs- /
noun
Physical Chemistry, Cell Biology.
- the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
- the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions.Compare endosmosis, exosmosis.
a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling: He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis.
Origin of osmosis
OTHER WORDS FROM osmosis
Words nearby osmosis
osmole,
osmometer,
osmometry,
osmoregulation,
osmose,
osmosis,
osmotic pressure,
osmotic shock,
osmous,
osmund,
osmunda
Example sentences from the Web for osmosis
British Dictionary definitions for osmosis
osmosis
/ (ɒzˈməʊsɪs, ɒs-) /
noun
the passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated to a more concentrated solution until both solutions are of the same concentration
diffusion through any membrane or porous barrier, as in dialysis
gradual or unconscious assimilation or adoption, as of ideas
Derived forms of osmosis
osmotic (ɒzˈmɒtɪk, ɒs-), adjective osmotically, adverbWord Origin for osmosis
C19: Latinized form from
osmose (n), from Greek
ōsmos push, thrust
Medical definitions for osmosis
osmosis
[ ŏz-mō′sĭs, ŏs- ]
n. pl. os•mo•ses (-sēz)
Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane.
The tendency of fluids to diffuse in such a manner.
Other words from osmosis
os•mot′ic (-mŏt′ĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for osmosis
osmosis
[ ŏz-mō′sĭs ]
The movement of a solvent through a membrane separating two solutions of different concentrations. The solvent from the side of weaker concentration usually moves to the side of the stronger concentration, diluting it, until the concentrations of the solutions are equal on both sides of the membrane.♦ The pressure exerted by the molecules of the solvent on the membrane they pass through is called osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is the energy driving osmosis and is important for living organisms because it allows water and nutrients dissolved in water to pass through cell membranes.
Cultural definitions for osmosis
osmosis
[ (ahz-moh-sis, ahs-moh-sis) ]
The seeping of a fluid through a seemingly solid barrier, such as a cell wall or a rubber sheet. When the concentration of the fluid is the same on both sides of the barrier, osmosis stops.
notes for osmosis
Informally, “osmosis” is the process by which information or concepts come to a person without conscious effort: “Living in
Paris, he learned French slang by osmosis.”