porous

adjective

po·​rous ˈpȯr-əs 

1

a

: possessing or full of pores

b

: containing vessels

hardwood is porous

2

a

: permeable to fluids

b

: permeable to outside influences

3

: capable of being penetrated

porous national boundaries

porously adverb

porousness noun

Synonyms

• passable
• penetrable
• permeable
• pervious

Examples of porous in a Sentence

The country has a porous border.

a cleaner that should not be used on porous surfaces

Recent Examples on the Web

Its poundcake density is substantial enough to maintain structure yet porous enough to absorb the milks, with just the right, rounded hit of vanilla. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024

James becomes a lot more emotionally porous, and George sees this sort of wild nature. —Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing porous

• diffuse-porous
• ring-porous

Kids Definition

porous

adjective

po·​rous ˈpōr-əs 

ˈpȯr-

1

: full of pores

2

: capable of absorbing liquids

Medical Definition

porous

adjective

po·​rous ˈpōr-əs, ˈpȯr- 

1

: possessing or full of pores

porous bones

2

: permeable to fluids