porosity

noun

plural porosities
1
a
: the quality or state of being porous
b
: the ratio of the volume of interstices of a material to the volume of its mass
2
: pore

Examples of porosity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is coming from someone with low-porosity hair that takes seemingly forever to dry. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 The science behind Strand Serum starts with porosity — the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, according to the brand. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 Our wine ages for a full year in French oak, where the wood’s precise porosity allows just the right exchange with oxygen — softening the wine, concentrating its aromas and flavours, building complexity no machine can replicate. — Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026 The damage includes changes in the rocks’ porosity, or tiny hole structures on their surfaces, believed to result from historical emission levels. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for porosity

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of porosity was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Porosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porosity. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

porosity

noun
po·​ros·​i·​ty pə-ˈräs-ət-ē How to pronounce porosity (audio)
pōr-ˈäs-, 
pȯ-ˈräs-
plural porosities
: the quality or state of being porous

Medical Definition

plural porosities
1
a
: the quality or state of being porous
b
: the ratio of the volume of interstices of a material to the volume of its mass
2
: pore

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