Advertisement

Advertisement

reverse osmosis

noun

, Chemistry.
  1. the process in which pure water is produced by forcing waste or saline water through a semipermeable membrane.


reverse osmosis

noun

  1. a technique for purifying water, in which pressure is applied to force liquid through a semipermeable membrane in the opposite direction to that in normal osmosis


reverse osmosis

  1. A method of producing pure water by forcing saline or impure water through a semipermeable membrane across which salts or impurities cannot pass. Reverse osmosis is used for water filtration, for desalinization of seawater, and in kidney dialysis machines.


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverse osmosis1

First recorded in 1950–55

Discover More

Example Sentences

A reverse osmosis plant on an adjacent plot of land desalinates and purifies up to 1.25 million gallons of water daily.

Any winery that possesses a reverse-osmosis machine—usually used to remove alcohol from wine—can create their own concentrates.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement