reverse osmosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyTechnical/Scientific, Industrial, Engineering, Environmental Science
Quick answer
What does “reverse osmosis” mean?
A technical process for purifying water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane that blocks contaminants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A technical process for purifying water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane that blocks contaminants.
A desalination or filtration process used to remove dissolved solids, impurities, and salts from water. In figurative use, it can represent any intensive process of purification or refinement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The technical term is identical. The associated technology might be more commonly discussed in water-scarce regions globally.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. May have stronger connotations of high-end water purification or desalination in everyday contexts.
Frequency
Similar technical frequency. Possibly higher public awareness in areas with significant desalination plants (e.g., parts of the US, Middle East, Australia).
Grammar
How to Use “reverse osmosis” in a Sentence
[SUBJECT] uses reverse osmosis to [VERB] [OBJECT][OBJECT] is produced/purified by/through reverse osmosisThe [SYSTEM/PLANT] employs reverse osmosisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reverse osmosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The plant will reverse-osmosise seawater to make it potable. (Note: highly rare, non-standard)
American English
- The facility reverse-osmoses brackish water. (Note: highly rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The water was treated reverse-osmotically. (Extremely rare, technical)
American English
- The solution was filtered reverse-osmotically. (Extremely rare, technical)
adjective
British English
- The reverse-osmosis unit needs a new membrane.
- They installed a reverse-osmosis purification stage.
American English
- We need a reverse-osmosis filter for the aquarium.
- The reverse-osmosis process is energy-intensive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Marketing high-end water purifiers; discussing operational costs for industrial water treatment.
Academic
Describing processes in chemistry, environmental engineering, and marine biology papers.
Everyday
Discussing home water filter systems or bottled water production.
Technical
Specifying parameters like membrane pore size, pressure requirements, and salt rejection rates in engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reverse osmosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reverse osmosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reverse osmosis”
- Pronouncing 'osmosis' as /ɒzˈmɒsɪs/ (incorrect stress). Correct: /ɒzˈməʊsɪs/ (UK), /ɑːzˈmoʊsɪs/ (US).
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'They reverse-osmosis the water') is non-standard.
- Confusing it with standard filtration (which doesn't use a semi-permeable membrane under pressure).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is highly purified. However, it removes beneficial minerals, so some systems add them back post-filtration.
Regular filtration traps particles, while reverse osmosis uses pressure to force water through a membrane that blocks molecules and ions, including dissolved salts.
Yes, it's used in the food industry (e.g., concentrating fruit juices), pharmaceutical production, and wastewater treatment.
It can be energy-intensive due to the high pressure required, and it produces wastewater (brine) that must be managed.
A technical process for purifying water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane that blocks contaminants.
Reverse osmosis is usually technical/scientific, industrial, engineering, environmental science in register.
Reverse osmosis: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˌvɜːs ɒzˈməʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˌvɜːrs ɑːzˈmoʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Figurative] A reverse osmosis of ideas (a rigorous filtering of concepts)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think REVERSE OSMOSIS: REVerse the natural OSMOSIS process to push clean water OUT, leaving impurities behind.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURIFICATION IS A FORCED PASSAGE; KNOWLEDGE IS FILTERED (e.g., 'a reverse osmosis of information').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary physical principle that reverse osmosis works against?