hypotonic
Americanadjective
-
Physiology. (of tissue) having less than the normal tone.
-
Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of lower osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypertonic).
adjective
-
pathol (of muscles) lacking normal tone or tension
-
(of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solution Compare hypertonic isotonic
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hypotonic
Compare meaning
How does hypotonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing hypotonic
Cell Biology - High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chemistry - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a hypotonic environment, cells tend to swell due to intake of water.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Some organisms, such as plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protists, have cell walls that surround the plasma membrane and prevent cell lysis in a hypotonic solution.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Water, which is hypotonic with respect to body fluids.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Cells are then made to swell using a hypotonic solution so the chromosomes spread apart.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
These give it an osmotic pressure which prevents the deleterious effects of a strongly hypotonic liquid.
From The Mechanism of Life by Stéphane Leduc
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
