supersaturation

/ˌsupərˌsætʃəˈreɪʃən/
noun
  1. The state or condition of a solution that contains more dissolved substance than it can normally hold at a given temperature.
    • The sudden drop in temperature caused supersaturation in the liquid, and crystals formed quickly.
    • Supersaturation is necessary for growing large, clear crystals in the lab.
    • In chemistry class, we learned how supersaturation can be achieved by heating and then cooling a solution.
  2. A situation in which there is an excessive amount of something, making it difficult to absorb or manage.
    • The supersaturation of the market with similar apps makes it hard for new developers to succeed.
    • Supersaturation of the soil with water leads to root rot in plants.
    • The supersaturation of information on social media can overwhelm users.