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
It's accessed via its porch area and trifold doors that really open it up to the outside, while its many windows ensure lots of natural light permeates within.
—
Adam Williams
april 08, New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026
That reflects an unserious passivity that permeates every level of the Sky organization.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Competition permeates every aspect of Chesney’s program, from the weight room to locker organization, with every element graded and held to high standards.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Many of the Gen Z terms, language enthusiasts say, once permeated Black subcultures, including early hip-hop music and underground drag culture, and were not fully accepted or respected by the mainstream.
—Moriah Humiston, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permeate
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Adam Williams
april 08, New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026
That reflects an unserious passivity that permeates every level of the Sky organization.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Competition permeates every aspect of Chesney’s program, from the weight room to locker organization, with every element graded and held to high standards.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Many of the Gen Z terms, language enthusiasts say, once permeated Black subcultures, including early hip-hop music and underground drag culture, and were not fully accepted or respected by the mainstream.
—Moriah Humiston, NBC news, 3 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 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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