osmotic pressure
noun
: the pressure produced by or associated with osmosis and dependent on molar concentration and absolute temperature: such as
a
: the maximum pressure that develops in a solution separated from a solvent by a membrane permeable only to the solvent
b
: the pressure that must be applied to a solution to just prevent osmosis
Examples of osmotic pressure in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An external high pressure is used to overcome osmotic pressure, forcing clean water through the membrane while leaving salt behind.
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Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Variables that could affect the viability of the viral membrane could include changes in osmotic pressure, evaporation rates, and pH, Shaman says.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 13 Mar. 2020
This method also creates a strong osmotic pressure to extract the coffee concentrate from the grounds: since there are more coffee solutes in the grind and less in the watery environment, the solutes will want to escape through the semi-permeable cell membranes of the coffee beans.
—Catherine Hu, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2015
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Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Variables that could affect the viability of the viral membrane could include changes in osmotic pressure, evaporation rates, and pH, Shaman says.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 13 Mar. 2020
This method also creates a strong osmotic pressure to extract the coffee concentrate from the grounds: since there are more coffee solutes in the grind and less in the watery environment, the solutes will want to escape through the semi-permeable cell membranes of the coffee beans.
—Catherine Hu, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Osmotic pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osmotic%20pressure. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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