hygroscopic
adjective
hy·gro·scop·ic
ˌhī-grə-ˈskä-pik 
1
: readily taking up and retaining moisture
hygroscopic soils
2
: taken up and retained under some conditions of humidity and temperature
hygroscopic water in clay
Examples of hygroscopic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This droplet is formed by the condensation of water on the spore surface stimulated by the secretion of mannitol and other hygroscopic sugars.
—
Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2015
On the whole, while most published research on hygroscopic seeding acknowledges some effect, the results are usually inconsistent and marginal.
—Ian Graber-Stiehl, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2017
These won’t cause any skin irritation and are hygroscopic, anti-static, ventilated, and comfortable to lay on.
—Chris Hachey, BGR, 17 Mar. 2021
The term often used to describe sugar’s ability to attract water is hygroscopic.
—Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2020
These hydrogels have also been used for absorption— hygroscopic compounds are typically used in refrigeration.
—David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2019
The Texas team focused on combining the abilities of an especially absorbent hydrogel known as hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride with one that is reacts to heat called isopropylacrylamide.
—David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2015
On the whole, while most published research on hygroscopic seeding acknowledges some effect, the results are usually inconsistent and marginal.
—Ian Graber-Stiehl, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2017
These won’t cause any skin irritation and are hygroscopic, anti-static, ventilated, and comfortable to lay on.
—Chris Hachey, BGR, 17 Mar. 2021
The term often used to describe sugar’s ability to attract water is hygroscopic.
—Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2020
These hydrogels have also been used for absorption— hygroscopic compounds are typically used in refrigeration.
—David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2019
The Texas team focused on combining the abilities of an especially absorbent hydrogel known as hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride with one that is reacts to heat called isopropylacrylamide.
—David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near hygroscopic
Cite this Entry
“Hygroscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hygroscopic. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hygroscopic
adjective
hy·gro·scop·ic
ˌhī-grə-ˈskäp-ik
: readily taking up and retaining moisture
glycerol is hygroscopic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share