noun

diffusion

dih-FYOO-zhun

Diffusion (noun) means the movement of particles from a region where they are more concentrated to one where they are less concentrated, until they are evenly spread out. Example: “Oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood by diffusion.”

noun

The movement of particles from a region where they are more concentrated to one where they are less concentrated, until they are evenly spread out.

"Oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood by diffusion."

"A drop of ink spreads through still water by diffusion alone."

The gradual spread of an idea, technology, custom or practice through a population or from one culture to another.

"The diffusion of smartphones through rural markets took barely a decade."

"Archaeologists debate whether farming reached the region by migration or by cultural diffusion."

The scattering of light or sound in many directions, producing a soft, even effect without harsh shadows or echoes.

"A sheet of tracing paper over the lamp gives you cheap diffusion."

How to Use Diffusion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThings spreading out on their own until they are evenly mixed.

When to use it

Neutral; core vocabulary in biology, chemistry, physics, sociology and photography.

Easily confused with

osmosis → effusion → dispersion →

Common pairings

simple diffusion facilitated diffusion rate of diffusion diffusion of innovation

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood by _____.

Etymology

From Latin diffundere 'to pour out, spread', formed from dis- 'apart' and fundere 'to pour'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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dispersal spreading dissemination propagation spread transmission

Antonyms

concentration

Related Words

range attention focus generation spread distribution communication lay

Rhymes for diffusion

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion elocution extension oxidation

See all rhymes for diffusion →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between diffusion and osmosis?

Diffusion is any substance spreading from high to low concentration. Osmosis is the special case of water moving across a semi-permeable membrane towards the side with more dissolved solute. All osmosis is a kind of diffusion, but most diffusion is not osmosis.

What is the difference between diffusion and effusion?

Diffusion is one gas spreading through another or through a space. Effusion is a gas escaping through a tiny hole into a vacuum. Both depend on molecular speed, so lighter molecules do each of them faster.

Does diffusion need energy?

No. It is a passive process driven by the random motion of particles, so it needs no energy input from the cell or system — unlike active transport, which does.

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