penetration

[ pen-i-trey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or power of penetrating. penetrating.
2. mental acuteness, discernment, or insight:

   a scholar of rare penetration.

   Synonyms: profundity, depth, discrimination, perception, understanding

3. the obtaining of a share of a market for some commodity or service.
4. the extension, usually peaceful, of the influence of one nation or culture into the affairs of another.
5. a military attack that penetrates into enemy territory.
6. Gunnery. the depth to which a projectile goes into the target.
7. the measure of relative depth of field of a telescope or microscope, especially a binocular microscope.

penetration

/ ˌpɛnɪˈtreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of penetrating
2. the ability or power to penetrate
3. keen insight or perception
4. military an offensive manoeuvre that breaks through an enemy's defensive position
5. Also calledmarket penetration the proportion of the total number of potential purchasers of a product or service who either are aware of its existence or actually buy it
6. another name for depth of field

Other Words From

• nonpen·e·tration noun
• prepen·e·tration noun
• self-pene·tration noun
• transpen·e·tration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetration¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, penetration is from the Late Latin word penetrātiōn- (stem of penetrātiō ). See penetrate, -ion

Example Sentences

"The players look more comfortable in possession and they have more options in front of them. John Souttar looks like an international centre-back now and Doak has given us pace, power and penetration."

From BBC

Guiver admitted sexual assault by penetration, assault, intentional strangulation, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and threats to kill.

From BBC

This was despite the fact she sentenced Leila’s abuser to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to assault by penetration and multiple charges of sexual assault.

From BBC

Giving tailwind to this is the growing penetration of smartphones among middle-income rural families.

From BBC

On Monday, Corona — who has since retired from the bench — was indicted by county prosecutors on charges of sexual battery and sexual penetration by fear or force.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• infiltration
• seepage