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
1
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."
2
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."
3
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
simple diffusion
facilitated diffusion
rate of diffusion
diffusion of innovation
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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'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
What is the meaning of diffusion?
"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.
