1. the process by which water passes through a membrane from a less concentrated to a more concentrated solution
Usage: biology; chemistry
2. the gradual absorption of ideas, knowledge, or influence
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The plant roots absorb water through osmosis.
• Osmosis helps maintain the water balance in living cells.
• The biology teacher explained how osmosis works across cell membranes.
• She seemed to learn French by osmosis just from living in Paris.
• Children often pick up their parents’ values through osmosis.
• The company culture spread through osmosis rather than formal training.