porous

adjective

po·​rous ˈpȯr-əs 

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

Synonyms

• passable
• penetrable
• permeable
• pervious

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

At his best, Mings significantly improves a defence that has been porous in his absence — not helped by Torres’ blind spot against physical strikers — and shown a weakness in defending set plays. —Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024

The Titans offense, beat up on top of everything else, simply doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Bengals, even if Cincy’s defense can be porous at times. —Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024

This material is very porous and will absorb the moisture that leads them to chipping or cracking. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024

However, the border is porous and not all of the trade can be stopped. —Esha Mitra, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing porous

• diffuse-porous
• ring-porous

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