osmosis

What is the opposite of osmosis? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.

Noun — The movement of a solvent, usually water, through a semi-permeable membrane from a weaker solution into a stronger one, so that the concentrations tend to even out.

We haven't recorded synonyms for osmosis yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use osmosis

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

by osmosis reverse osmosis osmosis across the membrane learn by osmosis

Technical in biology and chemistry; the figurative sense is informal and very common.

Etymology

From Greek osmos 'a pushing, thrusting', with the noun ending -osis; it entered scientific English in the nineteenth century.

Full origin of osmosis →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?

Diffusion is any movement of particles from where they are concentrated to where they are not. Osmosis is the special case in which it is the solvent, usually water, moving across a semi-permeable membrane, because the dissolved particles themselves cannot pass through.

Which way does water move in osmosis?

From the dilute side to the concentrated side, in other words from high water potential to low water potential. That is why a cell placed in salty water shrinks and one placed in pure water swells.

What is reverse osmosis?

It is osmosis driven backwards by applying pressure to the concentrated side, forcing water through the membrane and leaving the dissolved salts behind. It is the basis of most desalination and many domestic water filters.

Nearby words

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