penetrate

[ pen-i-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing.

1. to pierce or pass into or through:

   The bullet penetrated the wall. The fog lights penetrated the mist.

2. to enter the interior of:

   to penetrate a forest.

3. to enter and diffuse itself through; permeate.
4. to arrive at the truth or meaning of; understand; comprehend:

   to penetrate a mystery.

   Synonyms: discern, fathom

5. to obtain a share of (a market):

   to penetrate the Canadian coffee market.

6. to affect or impress (the mind or feelings) deeply.

   Synonyms: touch

7. to extend influence, usually peacefully, into the affairs of (another country).

verb (used without object)

, pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing.

1. to enter, reach, or pass through something, as by piercing:

   We penetrated to the interior of the Kasbah.

2. to be diffused through something.
3. to understand or read the meaning of something.
4. to have a deep effect or impact on someone.

penetrate

/ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪt /

verb

1. to find or force a way into or through (something); pierce; enter
2. to diffuse through (a substance); permeate
3. tr to see through

   their eyes could not penetrate the fog

4. tr (of a man) to insert the penis into the vagina of (a woman)
5. tr to grasp the meaning of (a principle, etc)
6. intr to be understood

   his face lit up as the new idea penetrated

Derived Forms

• ˈpenetrably, adverb
• ˈpenetrative, adjective
• ˈpenetrable, adjective
• ˈpeneˌtrator, noun
• ˌpenetraˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• pene·trator noun
• pre·pene·trate verb (used with object) prepenetrated prepenetrating
• un·pene·trated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin penetrātus “entered the interior of,” past participle of penetrāre “to enter the interior of,” from penet-, variant stem of penitus “deep down” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix, with the vowel change and addition of -r- probably by analogy with intus “inside,” intrāre “to enter” ( enter ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrate¹

C16: from Latin penetrāre; related to penitus inner, and penus the interior of a house

Synonym Study

See pierce.

Example Sentences

These missiles, which are launched from an aircraft, fly close to the speed of sound and carry highly explosive warheads making them an ideal weapon for penetrating Russian bunkers and ammunition stores.

From BBC

These early Aboriginal communities used fire to penetrate and modify dense, wet forest for their own use -- as indicated by a sudden increase in charcoal accumulated in ancient mud 41,600 years ago.

From Science Daily

This is because fine particles can penetrate through lungs and affect organs.

From BBC

The actress believes Beth "has penetrated a zeitgeist in women specifically".

From BBC

“The abortion argument did not penetrate at all with non-college educated women, did not move them an inch. And they lost ground with Latinos,” Mr Smith said.

From BBC

Related Words

• crack
• drill
• enter
• go through
• infiltrate
• invade
• pass through
• permeate
• pervade
• puncture
• seep