hygroscopic

adjective

hy·​gro·​scop·​ic ˌhī-grə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce hygroscopic (audio)
1
: readily taking up and retaining moisture
hygroscopic soils
2
: taken up and retained under some conditions of humidity and temperature
hygroscopic water in clay

Examples of hygroscopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This droplet is formed by the condensation of water on the spore surface stimulated by the secretion of mannitol and other hygroscopic sugars. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2015 On the whole, while most published research on hygroscopic seeding acknowledges some effect, the results are usually inconsistent and marginal. Ian Graber-Stiehl, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2017 These won’t cause any skin irritation and are hygroscopic, anti-static, ventilated, and comfortable to lay on. Chris Hachey, BGR, 17 Mar. 2021 The term often used to describe sugar’s ability to attract water is hygroscopic. Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2020 These hydrogels have also been used for absorption— hygroscopic compounds are typically used in refrigeration. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2019 The Texas team focused on combining the abilities of an especially absorbent hydrogel known as hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride with one that is reacts to heat called isopropylacrylamide. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hygroscopic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

hygroscope, an instrument showing changes in humidity + -ic entry 1; from the use of such materials in the hygroscope

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hygroscopic was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near hygroscopic

Cite this Entry

“Hygroscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hygroscopic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

hygroscopic

adjective
hy·​gro·​scop·​ic ˌhī-grə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce hygroscopic (audio)
: readily taking up and retaining moisture
glycerol is hygroscopic
hygroscopicity noun
plural hygroscopicities
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!