Definition of "osmosis" in English

noun

1. (chemistry) The net movement of solvent molecules, usually water, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane.

2. (figurative) Passive absorption or impartation of information, habits, etc.; the process of teaching or learning particular knowledge incidentally rather than consciously.

   • Near-synonym: serendipity
   • I was reading about chickens, and I guess I learned about hawks through osmosis.