hypertonic

adjective

hy·​per·​ton·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce hypertonic (audio)
1
: exhibiting excessive tone or tension
a hypertonic baby
a hypertonic bladder
2
: having a higher osmotic pressure than a surrounding medium or a fluid under comparison

Examples of hypertonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The good news is that hypertonic saline injections seem to work. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 21 July 2020 Also referred to as a hypertonic or hyperactive pelvic floor, this describes a state where the muscles in your pelvis hold too much tension and are unable to relax. Sarah Graham, refinery29.com, 21 May 2021 Sinus rinses like neti pots can help wash out mucus, especially when people use hypertonic saline, Dass said. Slone Terranella, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypertonic.' 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

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypertonic was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near hypertonic

Cite this Entry

“Hypertonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypertonic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

hypertonic

adjective
hy·​per·​ton·​ic -ˈtän-ik How to pronounce hypertonic (audio)
1
: exhibiting excessive tone or tension
a hypertonic baby
a hypertonic bladder
2
: having a higher osmotic pressure than a surrounding medium or a fluid under comparison
animals that produce urine which is hypertonic to their blood
compare hypotonic sense 2, isotonic sense 1
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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