The process by which plants absorb water from the soil is called osmosis. In this process, water molecules move from areas of lower solute concentration in the surrounding soil into higher solute concentration within the plant roots. This movement occurs across the semi-permeable cell membranes of the plant roots and is essential for maintaining hydration, nutrient transport, and overall physiological functions in plants. Osmosis is coupled with the process of transpiration, where water is lost through small openings called stomata, allowing for a continuous uptake of water from the soil.