permeate

[ pur-mee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, per·me·at·ed, per·me·at·ing.

1. to pass into or through every part of:

   Bright sunshine permeated the room.

2. to penetrate through the pores, interstices, etc., of.
3. to be diffused through; pervade; saturate:

   Cynicism permeated his report.

verb (used without object)

, per·me·at·ed, per·me·at·ing.

1. to become diffused; penetrate.

permeate

/ ˈpɜːmɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to penetrate or pervade (a substance, area, etc)

   a lovely smell permeated the room

2. to pass through or cause to pass through by osmosis or diffusion

   to permeate a membrane

Derived Forms

• ˈpermeative, adjective
• ˌpermeˈation, noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of permeate¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin permeātus, past participle of permeāre “to pass through”; per-, meatus

Word History and Origins

Origin of permeate¹

C17: from Latin permeāre, from per- through + meāre to pass

Example Sentences

It’s a microcosm of the world and its vices, and not only because the sounds of several languages permeate the steamy premises.

From Los Angeles Times

I'm bewildered how anyone cannot see through the blatant corruption and lies that permeate everything Trump does to still find him somehow worthy of holding the highest office in America and having access to the nuclear codes.

From Salon

Richard Tice, Reform MP for Boston and Skegness, and Farage said by not releasing footage, police had allowed misinformation to "permeate through the country".

From BBC

Jennifer Norris, managing attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center in Los Angeles, said she has seen the issue permeate all steps of the legal process, from finding a lawyer to challenging arguments by the federal government in immigration court.

From Los Angeles Times

But in recent years, the lake has become shallower, dropping more than 10 feet in the last 20 years, which has caused those layers to mix more often and the hydrogen sulfide scent to permeate the area year-long.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• imbue
• impregnate
• infiltrate
• infuse
• invade
• pass through
• penetrate
• percolate
• pervade
• saturate
• seep
• steep
• suffuse