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permeate
[ pur-mee-eyt ]
verb (used with object)
- to pass into or through every part of:
Bright sunshine permeated the room.
- to penetrate through the pores, interstices, etc., of.
Cynicism permeated his report.
verb (used without object)
- to become diffused; penetrate.
permeate
/ ˈpɜːmɪˌeɪt /
verb
- to penetrate or pervade (a substance, area, etc)
a lovely smell permeated the room
- to pass through or cause to pass through by osmosis or diffusion
to permeate a membrane
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Derived Forms
- ˌpermeˈation, noun
- ˈpermeative, adjective
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Other Words From
- per·me·a·tion [pur-mee-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
- per·me·a·tive adjective
- per·me·a·tor noun
- in·ter·per·me·ate verb (used with object) interpermeated interpermeating
- non·per·me·a·tion noun
- non·per·me·a·tive adjective
- un·per·me·at·ing adjective
- un·per·me·a·tive adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of permeate1
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Example Sentences
The new business game feels like a race to the bottom now that permeates everything, from media pricing to how much the client pays the agency.
Key evidence in favor of this hypothesis emerged when astronomers discovered the largest known magnetic field in the cosmos — 10 million light-years of magnetized space permeating the voids between galaxy clusters.
She thinks there’s an amplified “religiosity” that permeates after the death of a young rapper.
Soon that appreciation for those on medicine’s front lines had spread across the country and permeated the media.
The 29-year-old congressional representative for New York’s 14th district voiced a worry permeating the lives of many in the post-Baby Boomer generations.
As AOL evolved, this ethos of personalization began to permeate the entire user experience.
The colors, lines, and shapes that permeate the film are truly a sight to behold.
Double-think, censorship, and fear permeate daily life, often subconsciously.
But its presence speaks to the contradictions that permeate Muslim society.
The New York Times editorial page does not permeate across all of America.
But now quiet, save for an undescribable, whispering overtone that seemed to permeate the air.
In this world our spirits not only permeate matter but find their only expression through its medium.
Extravagance and exaggeration permeate his most commonplace observations.
The spirit of unrepentant cruelty has thus been allowed to permeate the whole administration.
Resolved gradually to permeate, it has not been revolutionary: it has relied on the slow growth of opinion.
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Related Words
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More About Permeate
What does permeate mean?
Permeate means to penetrate, pass through, and often become widespread throughout something. Similar words are pervade and saturate.
Permeate can be used both in the context of the physical spread of something within a space and in more figurative ways. Dye permeates fabric. A smell can permeate a room. An idea can permeate someone’s mind.
The adjective permeable means capable of being permeated, especially by liquids or gases, as in Permeable surfaces should be sealed to prevent leaks. The adjective permeating describes things that have permeated or have the ability to permeate, as in Social media has become a permeating aspect of our lives.
Example: This material has a special coating that won’t allow anything to permeate its surface.
Where does permeate come from?
The first records of the word permeate come from the mid-1600s. It comes from the Latin verb permeāre, meaning “to pass through.”
Things that permeate often pass through some barrier or threshold—physical or otherwise—and then spread out. In physical contexts, this often involves liquids and gases. It can also be applied to intangible things, like flavors or smells, and abstract things, such as ideas, trends, and aspects of culture.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to permeate?
- permeation (noun)
- permeative (adjective)
- permeant (adjective)
- permeable (adjective)
What are some synonyms for permeate?
What are some words that share a root or word element with permeate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing permeate?
How is permeate used in real life?
Permeate can be used in the context of tangible, intangible, and abstract things.
Fire Chief Paul Haas recently announced that Dover Fire and Rescue has implemented a "post fire decontamination" program. The goal of the program is to reduce exposure to the harmful chemicals and toxins that permeate a firefighter's personal protective gear and cause cancer. pic.twitter.com/NytkWG1Cxj
— City of Dover NH (@CityofDoverNH) February 5, 2020
And as a side note, if you have any outdoor cushions … or anything covered with fabric you might want to bring them indoors cuz smoke odour will permeate fabric. #yyj https://t.co/y8p5uikulV
— Hilary Groos (@hilarygroos) September 8, 2020
Racism, discrimination, and social inequalities permeate all areas of our society and have a huge effect on individual lives and wellbeing. We need to address the needs of our communities at individual community levels.#minorityhealth #oralhealth #healthinequalities@BristolUni https://t.co/vMIWQ2ADnd
— Dr Nilufar Ahmed (@ahmed_nilufar) September 9, 2020
Try using permeate!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of permeate?
A. saturate
B. pervade
C. penetrate
D. block
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