infiltration
Americannoun
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the act or process of infiltrating.
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the state of being infiltrated.
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something that infiltrates; an infiltrate.
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Military.
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a method of attack in which small bodies of soldiers or individual soldiers penetrate the enemy's line at weak or unguarded points in order to assemble behind the enemy position and attack it from the rear, harass enemy rear-area installations, etc.
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a system of transporting troops or vehicles at extended and irregular intervals so as to avoid enemy observation or attack, especially from the air.
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Geology. the seepage of water into soil or rock.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of infiltration
First recorded in 1790–1800; infiltrate + -ion
Explanation
When infiltration happens in an ecosystem, it means water soaks down into the soil. When infiltration happens in a spy movie, it means that someone sneaks into a place to learn secret information. Military or security infiltration happens when troops penetrate their enemy's front lines to attack more vulnerable areas, or when CIA agents go undercover, posing as members of a group in order to gather information. In science, infiltration generally refers to rainwater being absorbed by the ground, or groundwater entering sewers and causing overflows that harm the environment.
Vocabulary lists containing infiltration
The Water Cycle - Introductory
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Earth Science - Middle School
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The Water Cycle - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Legal filings, Cambodian corporate records and sanctions actions in the U.S. and other countries document the infiltration of Cambodia’s ruling class by online scam networks.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
"We show that increased infiltration of T cells that are attacking tumor cells translates into a therapeutic benefit for patients with glioblastoma," said Chiocca, who is also a co-senior author of the study.
From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026
One tactic was by far the most effective: infiltration.
From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026
California banned phones in public school classrooms beginning in January, largely in response to the infiltration of social media.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026
It is an infiltration of intellects, an inflammation.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
