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

As AOL evolved, this ethos of personalization began to permeate the entire user experience.

From The Daily Beast

The colors, lines, and shapes that permeate the film are truly a sight to behold.

From The Daily Beast

Double-think, censorship, and fear permeate daily life, often subconsciously.

From The Daily Beast

But its presence speaks to the contradictions that permeate Muslim society.

From The Daily Beast

The New York Times editorial page does not permeate across all of America.

From The Daily Beast

But now quiet, save for an undescribable, whispering overtone that seemed to permeate the air.

From Project Gutenberg

In this world our spirits not only permeate matter but find their only expression through its medium.

From Project Gutenberg

Extravagance and exaggeration permeate his most commonplace observations.

From Project Gutenberg

The spirit of unrepentant cruelty has thus been allowed to permeate the whole administration.

From Project Gutenberg

Resolved gradually to permeate, it has not been revolutionary: it has relied on the slow growth of opinion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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