penetration

noun pen·e·tra·tion \ ˌpe-nə-ˈtrā-shən \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: penetration in a Sentence

Definition of penetration

1 a : the power to penetrate; especially : the ability to discern deeply and acutely

b : the depth to which something penetrates

c : the extent to which a commercial product or agency is familiar or sells in a market

2 : the act or process of penetrating: such as

a : the act of entering a country so that actual establishment of influence is accomplished

b : an attack that penetrates the enemy's front or territory

See penetration defined for English-language learners

See penetration defined for kids

Examples of penetration in a Sentence

Cuts in the skin could permit the penetration of bacteria into the body.
the penetration of the CIA by foreign agents
the penetration of the U.S. market by a foreign company
multiple penetrations into enemy territory
a writer who analyzes the underlying causes of the recession with great penetration

Recent Examples of penetration from the Web

For all their menacing attacks, the Seleção lacked penetration and rarely stretched Courtois.

— SI.com, "Brazil 1-2 Belgium: Red Devils Shatter Brazil's Dreams With Clinical Display to Set Up France Clash," 6 July 2018
For all their menacing attacks, the Seleção lacked penetration and rarely stretched Courtois.

— james taylor, Pro Soccer USA, "Brazil 1-2 Belgium: Red Devils Shatter Brazil’s Dreams With Clinical Display to Set Up France Clash," 6 July 2018
Today, according to the UN’s International Telecommunication Union, citing official figures, internet access is around 25 percent and mobile penetration around 90 percent.

— timothy mclaughlin, WIRED, "How Facebook’s Rise Fueled Chaos and Confusion in Myanmar," 6 July 2018
There is some evidence that use of a topical sunscreen or suntan lotion may actually protect skin from penetration by the lice.

— matthew diebel, USA TODAY, "Ee-ew! Authorities warn as sea lice invade beaches in Pensacola, northwest Florida," 27 June 2018
Swimmers can also reduce their risk of getting stung by sea lice by wearing sunscreen (which may protect skin from penetration by the larvae) and by not wearing a t-shirt in the water (so larvae don’t get stuck between clothing and skin).

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "What Are Sea Lice, and How Do You Avoid Their Red, Itchy Rash?," 27 June 2018
She was eventually diagnosed with vaginismus, which is characterized by involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that tighten the vaginal entrance, causing pain, penetration problems and inability to have intercourse.

— caroline judelson, Fox News, "Woman says agonizing condition has left her unable to have sex," 26 June 2018
This represents a lower penetration than the AdDuplex numbers reported last month indicated.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Windows 10 April 2018 Update now open to all, thanks to machine learning," 14 June 2018
In emerging economies, life-insurance penetration ranges from 2.6% of GDP in China to just 0.4% in Russia.

— The Economist, "The life-insurance industry is in need of new vigour," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'penetration.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of penetration

1605

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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Synonym Discussion of penetration

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).