Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Español

osmotic

(oz-MAH-tik)
Having to do with osmosis (the passage of a liquid through a membrane from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated one). This causes the more concentrated solution to become diluted, and makes the concentrations in both solutions more equal. Osmotic also refers to a type of laxative that increases the amount of water in the large intestine, which softens the stool to help it pass more easily.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms