Meaning & use
diffusion
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnicalphysics
The natural movement of particles, such as molecules, from a crowded area to a less crowded one until they are spread evenly.
Grammar: Usually followed by of or across: the diffusion of oxygen across a membrane.
Patterns
- diffusion of something
- diffusion across something
Oxygen reaches your blood by diffusion through thin walls in the lungs.
The smell of baking bread spread through the house by diffusion.
Warm temperatures speed up the diffusion of dye in water.
noununcountable
The spreading of ideas, customs, technology or products from one group or place to many others.
Grammar: Often followed by of and used in social science: the diffusion of new technology.
Patterns
- the diffusion of something
Historians study the diffusion of printing across Europe.
The diffusion of smartphones changed how people shop.
Trade routes helped the diffusion of spices and recipes.
noununcountabletechnical
The scattering of light so that it looks softer and less harsh.
Grammar: Used in photography and lighting: a screen that adds diffusion.
Patterns
- diffusion of light
A paper screen gives the lamp a gentle diffusion of light.
Photographers add diffusion to avoid harsh shadows on a face.
Clouds create natural diffusion that softens the afternoon sun.
Common combinations
- diffusion of oxygen
- The diffusion of oxygen into the blood happens in tiny air sacs.
- passive diffusion
- Small molecules cross the cell wall by passive diffusion.
- cultural diffusion
- Cultural diffusion explains why many cuisines share ingredients.
- the rate of diffusion
- The rate of diffusion increases when the temperature rises.
- diffusion of innovation
- The diffusion of innovation often begins with a few early adopters.
- diffusion across a membrane
- Water moves through diffusion across a membrane.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spread
- Spread is the plain word for anything that extends over a wider area, while diffusion is technical and often implies a gradual or natural process.
- dissemination
- Dissemination is the deliberate spreading of information, whereas diffusion can happen without anyone planning it.
- dispersal
- Dispersal means scattering things, such as seeds or crowds, in many directions, while diffusion is a smooth, even spreading from high to low concentration.
- proliferation
- Proliferation stresses a fast increase in number, and it often sounds negative, as in the proliferation of weapons, unlike diffusion.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: diffusion or defuse? diffusion or osmosis?
diffusion vs defuse
Defuse means to make a situation or bomb less dangerous. It is not the same as diffuse, which means to spread out.
diffusion vs osmosis
Osmosis is the movement of water, and only water, through a partial barrier. Diffusion applies to any particles and does not need a barrier.
Practice
When a drop of ink is added to a glass of water, ___ slowly spreads the color through the water.
Choose one answer.
Diffusion is the natural spreading of particles until they are evenly mixed. Evaporation turns liquid into vapor, combustion is burning, and erosion is the wearing away of land.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diffusion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.