tonicity

noun

to·​nic·​i·​ty tō-ˈni-sə-tē 

1

: the property of possessing tone

especially : healthy vigor of body or mind

2

: muscular tonus

Examples of tonicity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Regulation of Body Fluids Vasopressin is responsible for maintaining the normal balance of fluids around cells, referred to as tonicity. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024

By increasing permeability, vasopressin can return the tonicity of body fluids to normal. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024

That’s right—the key to losing inches off your waistline lies within a petite Parisian, fond of magenta lipstick and headbands, whose unique rémodelage technique is said to reshape silhouettes, reduce cellulite, boost tonicity, and release toxins. —Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 27 June 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

tonicity

noun

to·​nic·​i·​ty tō-ˈnis-ət-ē 

plural tonicities

1

: the property of possessing tone

especially : healthy vigor of body or mind

2

: tonus sense 2

3

: the osmotic pressure of a solution

the cells swell and shrink with changing tonicity of the environment