permeability

noun

per·​me·​abil·​i·​ty ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being permeable

2

: the property of a magnetizable substance that determines the degree in which it modifies the magnetic flux in the region occupied by it in a magnetic field

Examples of permeability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Capsules that can detect electrochemical, bioimpedance, or visual signals could help doctors make sense of symptoms like vague abdominal pain by revealing inflammation, gut permeability, tumors, or bacterial overgrowth. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026

Postnature, then, demands a subjectivity that is plural and decenters the human; a postnatural ethics seeks to blur the boundaries between human and nature, crafting new metaphors for the permeability and porousness of life-forms. —Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

Pressure geothermal is deployed in areas with hot, dry, low-permeability rocks. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026

Skin permeability is still a challenge, even with osmolyte accumulation. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for permeability

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability

Kids Definition

permeability

noun

per·​me·​abil·​i·​ty ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being permeable

Medical Definition

permeability

noun

per·​me·​abil·​i·​ty ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural permeabilities

: the quality or state of being permeable