seeped; seeping; seeps
1
: to flow or pass slowly through fine pores or small openings : ooze
water seeped in through a crack
2
a
: to enter or penetrate slowly
fear of nuclear war had seeped into the national consciousness—
Tip O'Neill
Tip O'Neill
b
: to become diffused or spread
a sadness seeped through his being—Agnes S. Turnbull
Agnes S. Turnbull1
a
: a spot where a fluid (such as water, oil, or gas) contained in the ground oozes slowly to the surface and often forms a pool
b
: a small spring
2
: seepage
Examples of seep in a Sentence
Verb
Blood was seeping through the bandage.
The chemicals seeped into the ground.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 18 May 2025
That care and attention to detail seep into Hawkins’ performance, which flits between expressions of fragility, slanted charm, and psychotic desperation.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 May 2025
By protecting the seafloor, scientists suggest that more cold seep environments could start to see the growth of biodiversity.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seep
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.
Verb
The work-from-home mother of young kids explained on the community forum Mumsnet that her new neighbor in the apartment next to hers smokes on his balcony — and the smell is seeping into her family’s home.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 18 May 2025
That care and attention to detail seep into Hawkins’ performance, which flits between expressions of fragility, slanted charm, and psychotic desperation.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
Noun
Already, in the ocean, explorers have seen hot hydrothermal vents, alkaline vents, and cold seeps.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 May 2025
By protecting the seafloor, scientists suggest that more cold seep environments could start to see the growth of biodiversity.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seep
Cite this Entry
“Seep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seep. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share