reverse osmosis

noun

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of reverse osmosis

: the movement of fresh water through a semipermeable membrane when pressure is applied to a solution (such as seawater) on one side of it

Recent Examples of reverse osmosis from the Web

However, Walsh said, the city is considering bringing in reverse osmosis facilities for emergencies.

— molly harbarger, OregonLive.com, "Salem water advisory causes questions, we answer them: 13 things to know," 1 June 2018
The membranes employed for reverse osmosis are rough, and so have a large surface area through which water can pass.

— The Economist, "A membrane that can remove salts from water more efficiently," 3 May 2018
About the only true way to remove the salt is through distillation or reverse osmosis.

— bob weber, chicagotribune.com, "Readers urge for clarification on salt water in car washes," 25 Mar. 2018
This step, called reverse osmosis, removes ions smaller than magnesium and sulphate, particularly the sodium and chloride ions that make up common salt and that give seawater its characteristic taste.

— The Economist, "A membrane that can remove salts from water more efficiently," 3 May 2018
But before going on with my water log, so to speak, some definitions: Purified or filtered water (Dasani, Aquafina) is tap water that has been distilled, deionized, or put through reverse osmosis.

— bob morris, Town & Country, "A Users Guide to Bottled Water," 3 May 2018
As sap gushes into the sugarhouse, its first stop is to undergo reverse osmosis to extract water, which significantly cuts down the sap’s boiling time, reducing fuel and increasing efficiency.

— jason wilson, sacbee, "Vermont industry turns over a new leaf | The Sacramento Bee," 24 Apr. 2018
In 2013 and 2014 it was awarded $41.8 million to replace the base's fuel pier and design and replace four reverse osmosis units at Guantánamo's desalination plant.

— carol rosenberg, miamiherald, "Navy hires firm that rebuilt the World Trade Center to expand the Gitmo war court complex | Miami Herald," 25 Apr. 2018
Then there’s the Tapt brand maple water, which is water that has been removed from the sap via reverse osmosis, then infused with a touch of syrup and flavors such as grapefruit, blueberry and cranberry-pomegranate.

— jason wilson, sacbee, "Vermont industry turns over a new leaf | The Sacramento Bee," 24 Apr. 2018

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