semipermeable

[sem-ee-pur-mee-uh-buhl, sem-ahy-]

adjective

1. permeable only to certain small molecules.

   a semipermeable membrane.

semipermeable

/ ˌsɛmɪˈpɜːmɪəbəl /

adjective

1. (esp of a cell membrane) selectively permeable

Other Word Forms

• semipermeability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of semipermeable¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; semi- + permeable

Example Sentences

Researchers in ACS Energy Letters report creating a semipermeable membrane that harvests osmotic energy from salt gradients and converts it to electricity.

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The cylinders could be connected to form a long, semipermeable wall, which the engineers could erect along a coastline, about half a mile from shore.

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At the heart of every fuel cell lies a semipermeable membrane.

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Producing outstanding kimchi requires a Goldilocks situation, Kim says: fermentation vessels need to be semipermeable rather than overly permeable or impermeable.

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Many producers simply remove the alcohol from normal wines by forcing the liquid through semipermeable membranes, spinning it, or boiling off most of the alcoholic components.

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