penetrate

[pen-i-treyt]

verb (used with object)

penetrated, penetrating 

1. to pierce or pass into or through.

   The bullet penetrated the wall. The fog lights penetrated the mist.

2. to enter the interior of.

   to penetrate a forest.

3. to enter and diffuse itself through; permeate.

4. to arrive at the truth or meaning of; understand; comprehend.

   to penetrate a mystery.

   Synonyms: discern, fathom

5. to obtain a share of (a market).

   to penetrate the Canadian coffee market.

6. to affect or impress (the mind or feelings) deeply.

   Synonyms: touch

7. to extend influence, usually peacefully, into the affairs of (another country).

verb (used without object)

penetrated, penetrating 

1. to enter, reach, or pass through something, as by piercing.

   We penetrated to the interior of the Kasbah.

2. to be diffused through something.

3. to understand or read the meaning of something.

4. to have a deep effect or impact on someone.

penetrate

/ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪt /

verb

1. to find or force a way into or through (something); pierce; enter

2. to diffuse through (a substance); permeate

3. (tr) to see through

   their eyes could not penetrate the fog

4. (tr) (of a man) to insert the penis into the vagina of (a woman)

5. (tr) to grasp the meaning of (a principle, etc)

6. (intr) to be understood

   his face lit up as the new idea penetrated

Other Word Forms

• penetrator noun
• prepenetrate verb (used with object)
• unpenetrated adjective
• penetrably adverb
• penetrative adjective
• penetrable adjective
• penetrability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin penetrātus “entered the interior of,” past participle of penetrāre “to enter the interior of,” from penet-, variant stem of penitus “deep down” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix, with the vowel change and addition of -r- probably by analogy with intus “inside,” intrāre “to enter” ( enter ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrate¹

C16: from Latin penetrāre; related to penitus inner, and penus the interior of a house

Synonym Study

See pierce.

Example Sentences

But it also provided a platform to penetrate deep into every corner of the UK with guaranteed air time.

From BBC

The rounds are designed to spread the force of impact over a larger area, without penetrating the skin.

From Los Angeles Times

Each year a new batch replaces the old with only a select few penetrating public consciousness enough to make a best-of reel.

From Los Angeles Times

“Sound of Freedom” distributor Angel Studios made its stock market debut Thursday as the company looks to expand its streaming service and eventually penetrate international markets.

From Los Angeles Times

“I really trust in the capacity of images to penetrate into the metabolism of the spectator,” Laxe says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crack 
• drill 
• enter 
• go through 
• infiltrate 
• invade 
• pass through 
• permeate 
• pervade 
• puncture 
• seep