permeate
verb
per·me·ate
ˈpər-mē-ˌāt 
permeated; permeating
: to diffuse through or penetrate something
1
: to spread or diffuse through
a room permeated with tobacco smoke
2
: to pass through the pores or interstices of
Did you know?
Permeate was borrowed into English in the 17th century from Latin permeatus, which comes from the prefix per- ("through") and the verb meare, meaning "to go" or "to pass." Meare hasn't exactly permeated English. Aside from permeate itself, its other English descendants include the relatively common permeable as well as the medical meatus ("a natural body passage") and the downright rare irremeable ("offering no possibility of return").
Examples of permeate in a Sentence
The water permeated the sand.
The smell of baking bread permeated the kitchen.
A feeling of anxiety permeated the office as we rushed to meet the deadline.
The rain permeated through the soil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Outdoor Christmas lights can become hazardous if the bulbs break or water permeates the power sockets.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Sectarian fearmongering had already permeated the elections campaign.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
For instance, white hues have permeated the music world this year, making appearances in music videos and album artwork.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2025
Above all, Stevens West and Reid hope that anyone who watches the film feels the love and care that permeates every moment.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for permeate
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Sectarian fearmongering had already permeated the elections campaign.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
For instance, white hues have permeated the music world this year, making appearances in music videos and album artwork.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2025
Above all, Stevens West and Reid hope that anyone who watches the film feels the love and care that permeates every moment.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for permeate
Cite this Entry
“Permeate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permeate. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
permeate
verb
per·me·ate
ˈpər-mē-ˌāt
permeated; permeating
1
: to spread throughout
a room permeated with the scent of flowers
2
: to pass through something which has pores or small openings or is of loose texture : seep through
water permeates sand
permeation
noun
ˌpər-mē-ˈā-shən
Medical Definition
permeate
verb
per·me·ate
ˈpər-mē-ˌāt
permeated; permeating
: to diffuse through or penetrate something
: to pass through the pores or interstices of
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