permeable

American  

[pur-mee-uh-buhl] / ˈpɜr mi ə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being permeated.

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permeable British  

/ ˈpɜːmɪəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being permeated, esp by liquids

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permeable Scientific  

/ pûr′mē-ə-bəl /

1. Capable of being passed through or permeated, especially by liquids or gases.

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Usage

What does permeable mean? Permeable means able to be penetrated or passed through, especially by a liquid or gas.The verb permeate means to penetrate, pass through, and often become widespread throughout something. Similar words are pervade and saturate.Permeate can be used both in the context of the physical spread of something within a space and in more figurative ways. Water permeates the soil. Dye permeates fabric. An idea can permeate someone’s mind. In these cases, the fabric and the mind could be described as permeable.The adjective permeating describes things that have permeated or have the ability to permeate, as in Social media has become a permeating aspect of our lives.Example: Permeable surfaces should be sealed to prevent leaks.

Other Word Forms

• nonpermeable adjective
• permeableness noun
• permeably adverb
• unpermeable adjective

Etymology

Origin of permeable

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin permeābilis, equivalent to permeā ( re ) to permeate + -bilis -ble

Compare meaning

How does permeable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• permeable vs. impermeable

Example Sentences

Their improvements made the protist's cell walls permeable, allowing scientists to clearly observe its inner architecture for the first time.

From Science Daily

In keeping with their desire for a permeable landscape, Craig recommended breaking the front walkway into large squares edged with river rocks so rainwater could flow into the ground instead of the street.

From Los Angeles Times

Imagine streets and sidewalks with healthy tree canopies, permeable paving, and green infrastructure that captures rainwater for recharge or reuse, so it enters the water table instead of being directed to our channelized rivers.

From Los Angeles Times

The water that’s entering permeable earth instead of being blocked by concrete is helping to replenish natural underground reservoirs that benefit humans and the environment.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond the vegetable beds is a planting area of native shrubs and grasses to provide additional habitat and permeable surface to collect rainwater.

From Los Angeles Times