impregnate

[ verb im-preg-neyt, im-preg-neyt; adjective im-preg-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, im·preg·nat·ed, im·preg·nat·ing.

1. to make pregnant; cause to be with child or young.
2. to fertilize.
3. to cause to be permeated or saturated with a substance:

   To relieve cold and flu symptoms, impregnate a handkerchief with oils of eucalyptus and mint and inhale its scent.

   Synonyms: penetrate, infuse, permeate

4. to fill the interstices, openings, or cells of (a fine network, or the like) with a substance:

   The stainless steel housing contains a ceramic honeycomb impregnated with platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

5. to infuse or imbue with some quality or element:

   Picasso’s later paintings are impregnated with a certain melancholy.

   The air was pleasantly impregnated with the odor of pines.

adjective

1. impregnated ( def ).

impregnate

verb

1. to saturate, soak, or infuse

   to impregnate a cloth with detergent

2. to imbue or permeate; pervade
3. to cause to conceive; make pregnant
4. to fertilize (an ovum)
5. to make (land, soil, etc) fruitful

adjective

1. pregnant or fertilized

Derived Forms

• ˌimpregˈnation, noun
• imˈpregnator, noun

Other Words From

• im·preg·na·tion [im-preg-, ney, -sh, uh, n], noun
• im·preg·na·tor noun
• im·preg·na·to·ry [im-, preg, -n, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• re·im·preg·nate verb (used with object) reimpregnated reimpregnating
• re·im·preg·na·tion noun
• self-im·preg·nat·ing adjective
• self-im·preg·na·tion noun
• self-im·preg·na·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin impraegnātus, past participle of impraegnāre “to fertilize, impregnate,” equivalent to im- im- ¹( def ) + praegn-, stem of praegnās, variant of praegnāns (stem praegnant-) “pregnant, with child” + -ātus past participle suffix; pregnant ¹( def ), -ate ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnate¹

C17: from Late Latin impraegnāre to make pregnant, from Latin im- in- ² + praegnans pregnant

Example Sentences

Online men fetishize subjugating women and making them like it through their “trad wife” fantasies, while Trump-world heroes like Twitter CEO Elon Musk joke about impregnating liberal women like pop star Taylor Swift.

From Salon

While the cow is milking, she is impregnated.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawsuit alleges that in one instance at Combs’ house in Los Angeles, she was drugged and impregnated.

From Los Angeles Times

In one instance at Combs’ house in Los Angeles, the complaint alleges, she was drugged into unconsciousness and was impregnated.

From Los Angeles Times

Before she even knows what love is, Maria is swept off the stage by the boss of a ruling gang and impregnated.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drench
• fertilize
• inseminate
• permeate
• saturate
• suffuse