What does osmometer mean?
An osmometer is a scientific instrument designed to measure osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is the pressure that develops when a solvent, commonly water, moves through a semipermeable membrane toward a solution containing more dissolved substances. By measuring this pressure, an osmometer can help determine the concentration or properties of a solution. The word is used primarily in chemistry, biology, medicine, and materials science, where it may be encountered in laboratory methods, experimental studies, and descriptions of measurement devices. Although the underlying process is also called osmosis, an osmometer specifically refers to the instrument rather than to the movement itself. Its distinctive name combines the concept of osmosis with the suffix meaning “measure.”
nounAn instrument for measuring osmotic pressure, especially the pressure exerted when a solution is separated from another solution by a semipermeable membrane. Osmometers are used to study the movement of solvent through such membranes and the concentration of dissolved substances.
- An instrument used to measure osmotic pressure in a solution.
"The researchers used an osmometer to measure the osmotic pressure of the solution."
"The osmometer recorded a rise in pressure as water moved through the membrane."
"A laboratory can use a simple osmometer to investigate how solute concentration affects osmotic pressure."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"Several osmometers were used to compare the osmotic pressures of the samples."
An osmometer turns the invisible pull of dissolved molecules into a measurable pressure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of osmometer
The word “osmometer” was formed in the 19th century from Greek osmē, meaning “push” or “impulse,” related to osmos, “a pushing,” together with the suffix -meter, meaning “measure.” The same Greek root underlies osmosis, osmotic, and osmose. In the word “osmometer,” the components refer to an instrument that measures the pressure associated with osmotic movement.
Related word forms
How osmometer is actually used
This is a specialized scientific term. It is most often used in chemistry, biology, medicine, and materials science.
Easily confused with osmometer
An osmometer measures osmotic pressure quantitatively, whereas an osmoscope is an instrument for observing or demonstrating the process of osmosis.