CEFR C2

water memory

noun phrase

Meaning

A controversial hypothesis, central to homeopathy, that water retains a 'memory' of substances once dissolved in it, even after extreme dilution to the point where no molecules of the original substance remain. It is not accepted by mainstream science due to lack of reproducible evidence.

Examples

  • The concept of water memory is often cited to explain how homeopathic remedies work despite being diluted beyond Avogadro's number.
  • Critics argue that water memory has never been reliably demonstrated in controlled experiments.

Synonyms: homeopathic memory, structural memory, imprint