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

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

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

It releases energy that can penetrate and damage the cells in our bodies, and "it remains hazardous for 100,000 years", explains Claire Corkhill, professor of radioactive waste management at University of Bristol.

From BBC

This includes the insect Rhodnius prolixus, which like mosquitoes have piercing-sucking mouthparts that penetrate skin.

From Salon

As part of our work to penetrate the Vietnamese operations, we met an experienced smuggler who is operating in the UK and forging documents for migrants seeking to reach Europe.

From BBC

Related Words

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