diffuser

noun dif·fus·er \ di-ˈfyü-zər \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Definition of diffuser

1 : one that diffuses: such as

a : a device (such as a reflector) for distributing the light of a lamp evenly

b : a screen (as of cloth or frosted glass) for softening lighting (as in photography)

c : a device (such as slats at different angles) for deflecting air from an outlet in various directions

2 : a device for reducing the velocity and increasing the static pressure of a fluid passing through a system

Recent Examples of diffuser from the Web

Other styling changes include the appearance of a horizontal blade within the lower air intakes, slightly reworked taillamps, new chrome quad tailpipes, and a bolder-looking diffuser treatment below the bumper.

— steve siler, Car and Driver, "2019 Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan, Coupe, and Cabriolet," 29 Mar. 2018
Upstairs at the McPherson Youth Center, there are couches, a sound machine, and an essential oil diffuser.

— paul leighton, The Christian Science Monitor, "Youth centers to offer positive support for suspended students," 31 May 2018
Similar to a floral water but more potent, hydrosols contain the water-soluble constituents of a plant such as the volatile oils, and it can be used as a facial toner, the water component when mixing our clay masks, or in an aromatherapy diffuser.

— rachel marlowe, Vogue, "This All-Green Apothecary in New Zealand Is Worth a Trek Across the Globe," 29 May 2018
Essential oils claim to treat everything from insomnia to headaches through their use in aromatic diffusers, massage oils, or therapeutic baths.

— Philly.com, "Essential oils: Why 'natural' doesn't always mean safe," 22 May 2018
Even in luxury hotels that don't offer those cheap nailed-to-the-wall dryers, access to any kind of diffuser attachment is scarce.

— andrea arterbery, Glamour, "For Women of Color, Hotel Shampoo Isn't Just Meh—It's Literally Unusable," 16 May 2018
The walls and ceiling were plastered with LED strips of color-changing lights that glowed in soothing, geometric patterns, and a diffuser puffed out a micro-mist scented with lavender, sage, and ginger.

— rachel sugar, Bon Appetit, "I Spent an Entire Day on a Meditation Bus and It Was Very, Very Quiet," 8 May 2018
Below, a roundup of the 31 best aromatherapy diffusers on Amazon, according to reviews.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "31 of the Best Aromatherapy Diffusers on Amazon, According to 82,311 Reviews," 3 May 2018
Ode, a timed scent diffuser, disperses food aromas to stimulate appetites of people with dementia.

— diana budds, Curbed, "The future of design is tactile, aromatic, and euphonious," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diffuser.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.