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

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

osmotic pressure

noun

: the pressure produced by or associated with osmosis and dependent on molar concentration and absolute temperature: 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