penetration

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

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

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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

If the lake was less inky, and allowed more penetration of sunlight, Blue Cypress likely would blossom with the vivid color of unwanted algae feasting on pollution.

— kevin spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Rare Florida jewel, Blue Cypress Lake, sickens with pollution," 11 Apr. 2018
The realized that high levels of solar penetration start generating a net load curve that looks ... well, like a duck.

— david roberts, Vox, "Solar power’s greatest challenge was discovered 10 years ago. It looks like a duck.," 31 Mar. 2018
The resulting lack of penetration and chance creation was predictable.

— brian straus, SI.com, "USMNT's New Talents Establish Own Culture, Tactical Identity as Uncertain Future Looms," 28 Mar. 2018
According to her, the combination of product penetration and the wound healing process gets rid of bacteria and forces the skin to start up the regeneration process for a fresh start.

— brooke shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "8 Things You Need to Know About Microneedling Before You Try It," 28 Feb. 2018
But a former senior intelligence official told NBC News that these types of penetrations can be just as serious, either as gateways to other networks or as reconnoitering for future attacks.

— cynthia mcfadden, NBC News, "U.S. intel: Russia ‘compromised’ seven states prior to 2016 election," 27 Feb. 2018
However, the visitors lacked penetration before the break and were lucky to go in level at half-time.

— kieran canning, chicagotribune.com, "Messi ends Chelsea drought to give Barcelona last-16 edge," 20 Feb. 2018
Those operations involved highly sophisticated penetration of cybernetworks, the analysts noted, whereas the troll farm work is akin to graffiti — writing nasty messages on Twitter and Facebook.

— neil macfarquhar, New York Times, "Russian Trolls Were Sloppy, but Indictment Still ‘Points at the Kremlin’," 17 Feb. 2018
Topics included recruiting and training skilled workers in information technology, immigration reform, uses for blockchain technology, data security, broadband penetration, privacy issues and trade.

— tom still, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In Trump’s Washington, both parties looking for clarity," 16 Feb. 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).