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
Yet the events occurring within the Colorado bunker this season depict the real darkness that continues to permeate a society gutted and controlled by billionaires and vapid straw men.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
After letting the pickling permeate the whites, add a mixture of mayonnaise, cornichons, horseradish, dill, and mustard.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
The film set in the 15th century is certainly not short on atmosphere, thanks to its location shooting in Cornwall and enough fog permeating the proceedings to set off asthma attacks among vulnerable audience members.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
The operation also resulted in the killing of two US citizens, the deployment of aggressive tactics by armed, masked DHS agents, and a soaring sense of trepidation permeating Minnesota’s immigrant communities.
—Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permeate
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Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
After letting the pickling permeate the whites, add a mixture of mayonnaise, cornichons, horseradish, dill, and mustard.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
The film set in the 15th century is certainly not short on atmosphere, thanks to its location shooting in Cornwall and enough fog permeating the proceedings to set off asthma attacks among vulnerable audience members.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
The operation also resulted in the killing of two US citizens, the deployment of aggressive tactics by armed, masked DHS agents, and a soaring sense of trepidation permeating Minnesota’s immigrant communities.
—Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permeate
Cite this Entry
“Permeate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permeate. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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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