1
a
: possessing or full of pores
b
: containing vessels
hardwood is porous
2
a
: permeable to fluids
b
: permeable to outside influences
3
: capable of being penetrated
porous national boundaries
porously
adverb
porousness
noun
Examples of porous in a Sentence
The country has a porous border.
a cleaner that should not be used on porous surfaces
Recent Examples on the Web
Some use a cord to transfer the water from a saucer or tank, while others are made of a porous material like terracotta that allows the plant to absorb moisture through its walls.
—
Janae McKenzie, House Beautiful, 5 Sep. 2023
Patented by the maker in 1907, Fresco is two-ply, 9 oz fabric woven from 100 percent wool to be tight yet porous, ensuring easy air circulation and the ability to bounce back from wrinkles.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 July 2023
The offensive line was porous, giving up more sacks (47) than any school in a Power Five league.
—Ryan Black, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2023
None of which bodes well for Jones, considering how porous the gaps were in front of Zappe on Friday.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
Since most earthenware dinnerware is porous, it’s known for easily breaking.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2023
As a result, the potential for flooding is extremely high, particularly in very dry, desert locations where the ground may be less porous, Baijnath-Rodino said.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Aug. 2023
Some artisans and designers argue that the line between such high-level craft and fine art is porous, but Råman, an admirer of Donald Judd and the color field painters, especially Barnett Newman, isn’t one of them.
—Nancy Hass Mikael Olsson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2023
The shipment had come not from Colombia or Peru, Latin America’s largest cocaine producers, but from Ecuador, the small nation sandwiched between them.
Ecuador has struggled for years with drug trafficking because of its geographic location, fairly porous borders and major Pacific Ocean ports.
—José María León Cabrera, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
See More
Janae McKenzie, House Beautiful, 5 Sep. 2023
Patented by the maker in 1907, Fresco is two-ply, 9 oz fabric woven from 100 percent wool to be tight yet porous, ensuring easy air circulation and the ability to bounce back from wrinkles.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 July 2023
The offensive line was porous, giving up more sacks (47) than any school in a Power Five league.
—Ryan Black, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2023
None of which bodes well for Jones, considering how porous the gaps were in front of Zappe on Friday.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
Since most earthenware dinnerware is porous, it’s known for easily breaking.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2023
As a result, the potential for flooding is extremely high, particularly in very dry, desert locations where the ground may be less porous, Baijnath-Rodino said.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Aug. 2023
Some artisans and designers argue that the line between such high-level craft and fine art is porous, but Råman, an admirer of Donald Judd and the color field painters, especially Barnett Newman, isn’t one of them.
—Nancy Hass Mikael Olsson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2023
The shipment had come not from Colombia or Peru, Latin America’s largest cocaine producers, but from Ecuador, the small nation sandwiched between them.
Ecuador has struggled for years with drug trafficking because of its geographic location, fairly porous borders and major Pacific Ocean ports.
—José María León Cabrera, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'porous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of porous was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing porous
Dictionary Entries Near porous
Cite this Entry
“Porous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porous. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
porous
adjective
po·rous
ˈpōr-əs 
ˈpȯr-
1
: full of pores
2
: capable of absorbing liquids
Medical Definition
porous
adjective
po·rous
ˈpōr-əs, ˈpȯr-
1
: possessing or full of pores
porous bones
2
: permeable to fluids
More from Merriam-Webster on porous
Nglish: Translation of porous for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of porous for Arabic Speakers
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