reverse osmosis

noun

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

Examples of reverse osmosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a nutshell, wastewater recycling works by first physically filtering the water, then subjecting it to reverse osmosis, and finally purifying it with ultraviolet light. —Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026

And Las Vegas’s treatment isn’t as protective as reverse osmosis. —Doug Liden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

Energy is supplemented by two propeller shafts, acting as hydro turbines, while reverse osmosis and a pellet boiler (complete with recycled wooden waste pellets) generate fresh water and heat, respectively. —Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

To maintain their vibrant foliage, aim to water these tropical plants with distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water, says Steinkopf. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reverse osmosis

• actinomycosis
• atherosclerosis
• endometriosis
• erythematosus
• erythroblastosis
• granulomatosis
• hemochromatosis
• histiocytosis
• hyperkeratosis
• ketoacidosis
• mononucleosis
• osteonecrosis