Hypertonic Solution
A solution with a higher osmotic pressure than the one it is compared with, drawing water out of the more dilute side.
Formula / equation
π_solution > π_cell
Unit
atm
In depth
Cells placed in a hypertonic medium lose water and shrink, a process called crenation in animal cells and plasmolysis in plant cells. The dehydrating effect of hypertonic environments is what preserves food in brine, syrup or salt cure by making it inhospitable to microorganisms.
Examples in the real world
Seawater dehydrating a swimmer's tissues; salting meat or preserving fruit in concentrated sugar syrup.