infiltration

American  

[in-fil-trey-shuhn] / ˌɪn fɪlˈtreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of infiltrating.

2. the state of being infiltrated.

3. something that infiltrates; an infiltrate.

4. Military.

   1. 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.

   2. a system of transporting troops or vehicles at extended and irregular intervals so as to avoid enemy observation or attack, especially from the air.

5. Geology. the seepage of water into soil or rock.

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Other Word Forms

• reinfiltration
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

Infiltration wasn’t the only activity carried out by federal law enforcement.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2024

Infiltration wells cover a much smaller area but go deeper, which allows water to seep through their walls.

From Scientific American • Oct. 25, 2023

Infiltration made possible by malware that rode in as part of a software update pushed through months ago, to nearly 18,000 clients of a firm called SolarWinds.

From Slate • Dec. 21, 2020

An early exponent was Jeff Chapman, or Ninjalicious, the late Toronto-based explorer who in the early noughties infiltrated buildings and underground systems, recording his adventures in his zine, Infiltration.

From The Guardian • Feb. 25, 2017

Infiltration through concrete diminishes rapidly after the sewer is in use; it occurs in vitrified pipe, also, to some extent.

From ASCE 1193: The Water-Works and Sewerage of Monterrey, N. L., Mexico The 4th article from the June, 1911, Volume LXXII, Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Paper No. 1193, Feb. 1, 1911. by Conway, George Robert Graham

Related Words

• aggression
• assault
• breach
• incursion
• infringement
• intrusion
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• violation