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

"The microneedles penetrate the outer layer of the heart and allow the drug to reach the damaged muscle underneath, which is normally very hard to access."

Read more on Science Daily

"When these bubbles burst, they destroy the barrier surrounding the pancreatic cancer -- which is a bit like a bunker -- allowing the mRNA vaccine to penetrate the tumour."

Read more on Barron's

The agency also stated that the infestation hadn’t yet penetrated farther north than Oaxaca and Veracruz, 700 miles from the U.S. border.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The stocky build had dwindled to slimness, the thick silver hair tinted black, and the distinctive Ashton nose altered with putty, but those dark and penetrating eyes would be impossible to mistake.

Read more on Literature

He was a big man, with a cold and penetrating stare.

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Related Words

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