Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

semipermeable

adjective

/ˌsɛmiˈpɜrmiəbl/

Definition

A type of membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it while blocking others.

Examples

The cell membrane is semipermeable, allowing nutrients to enter while keeping harmful substances out.
In osmosis, water moves through a semipermeable membrane to balance solute concentrations on both sides.

Meaning

The term semipermeable refers to a barrier that selectively permits specific substances to move across it, often used in biological contexts to describe cell membranes.