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
By now, The Simpsons has permeated our culture to the point where words the writers made up during the show’s first decade are entering the official lexicon.
—
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 12 June 2025
Fruit and ice-cream stalls also permeated the busy strip.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
If that price is paid for only seven games of service, some buyer’s remorse would certainly permeate in Frisco.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025
In her new novel, El Dorado Drive (G.P. Putnam, June 24, 2025), a feeling of loss and decline permeates the once prosperous community of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the author’s own hometown.
—Dwyer Murphy
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for permeate
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Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 12 June 2025
Fruit and ice-cream stalls also permeated the busy strip.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
If that price is paid for only seven games of service, some buyer’s remorse would certainly permeate in Frisco.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025
In her new novel, El Dorado Drive (G.P. Putnam, June 24, 2025), a feeling of loss and decline permeates the once prosperous community of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the author’s own hometown.
—Dwyer Murphy
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for permeate
Cite this Entry
“Permeate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permeate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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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