Added 9 October 2026
permeate
/ˈpɜːmiˌeɪt/ verb
Latin root: permeātus First recorded: 1656 Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about permeate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture
water permeates sand
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To enter and spread through; to pervade.
Bright sunshine permeates the room on a sunny day.
noun
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A watery by-product of milk production.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
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Liquid that has passed through a filtration system.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
Origin
First attested in 1656; borrowed from Latin permeātus, perfect passive participle of permeō (“to pass through”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)