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permeate

verb
per·​me·​ate | \ ˈpər-mē-ˌāt How to pronounce permeate (audio) \
permeated; permeating

Definition of permeate

intransitive verb

: to diffuse through or penetrate something

transitive verb

1 : to spread or diffuse through a room permeated with tobacco smoke
2 : to pass through the pores or interstices of
Other Words from permeate Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about permeate

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Other Words from permeate

permeative \ ˈpər-​mē-​ˌā-​tiv How to pronounce permeative (audio) \ adjective

Did You Know?

It's no surprise that permeate means "to pass through something" - it was borrowed into English in the mid-17th century from the Latin permeatus, which comes from the prefix per- ("through") and the verb meare, meaning "to go" or "to pass." "Meare" itself comes from an ancient root that may have also led to Middle Welsh and Czech words meaning "to go" and "to pass," respectively. Other descendants of "meare" in English include "permeative," "permeable," "meatus" ("a natural body passage"), and the relatively rare "irremeable" ("offering no possibility of return").

Examples of permeate in a Sentence

The water permeated the sand. The smell of baking bread permeated the kitchen. A feeling of anxiety permeated the office as we rushed to meet the deadline. The rain permeated through the soil.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Words cannot describe the holiness that permeated that church. — The Rev. Ellin Dize, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Dize: Never be surprised by the venue God chooses to encapsulate your unsuspecting soul," 16 Aug. 2019 Winning is the only concept that can permeate their psychological crusts; winning, for the Roy children, is also almost impossible given their avaricious, impulsive ogre of a father. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Succession Is Better Than Ever," 11 Aug. 2019 And there’s something to Semien’s role atop the lineup that permeates into a more combative at-bats there on down. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "The adjustments that led to Marcus Semien’s offensive breakout," 10 Aug. 2019 Beyond the open floor plan and the custom rebuild, there’s another touch that permeates the home: a love for animals, wild and domestic. — azcentral, "Couple downsizes but upgrades their Fountain Hills home with help of former Suns player. Take a look," 8 Aug. 2019 This one fleeting glance has a gentle sense of pride that permeates the layers of fabric and fellow sailors. — Kristen Mcnicholas, National Geographic, "Your best photos of the week, August 2, 2019," 2 Aug. 2019 With How to Hack a Heartbreak, Rockaway offers an entirely relatable take on the infuriating casual sexism that can permeate everything from a workplace to online dating apps, while also reminding readers to take a breath and a chance on themselves. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Hot Stuff: July romances offer 'knotty' self-discovery," 30 July 2019 His skill and modesty on the course reflect the generosity and quiet strength that have permeated all aspects of his life, friends and family say. — Dallas News, "Texas golf legend Raymond Hibler continues his legacy at Robson Ranch," 23 July 2019 Just as The Unwomanly Face of War undid patriarchal narratives about war, so too does Last Witnesses revise the idealized vision of a patriotic childhood that permeates post-Soviet nostalgia to this day. — Jennifer Wilson, The New Republic, "Svetlana Alexievich’s Child’s-Eye View," 22 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'permeate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of permeate

1656, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for permeate

Latin permeatus, past participle of permeare, from per- through + meare to go, pass; akin to Middle Welsh mynet to go, Czech míjet to pass

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More Definitions for permeate

permeate

verb
How to pronounce permeate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of permeate

formal : to pass or spread through (something)

See the full definition for permeate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

permeate

verb
per·​me·​ate | \ ˈper-mē-ˌāt How to pronounce permeate (audio) \
permeated; permeating

Kids Definition of permeate

1 : to pass through something that has pores or small openings or is in a loose form Water permeates sand.
2 : to spread throughout The smell of smoke permeated the room.

permeate

verb
per·​me·​ate | \ ˈpər-mē-ˌāt How to pronounce permeate (audio) \
permeated; permeating

Medical Definition of permeate

intransitive verb

: to diffuse through or penetrate something

transitive verb

: to pass through the pores or interstices of

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