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

Derived Forms

• ˌsemiˌpermeaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• semi·perme·a·bili·ty 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.

From Science Daily

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.

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

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

From Scientific American

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.

From Washington Post