permeate

Everyday

1. To spread through every part of something: "The smell of bread permeated the house." tree →
2. (science) To pass through a material or a membrane: "Water permeates the soil." tree →

In the lessons

In science, liquids and gases permeate materials like soil, rock and cloth; a permeable rock lets water through, an impermeable one does not. In stories, a smell, feeling or idea permeates a place: "Fear permeated the village." Formal word.

Examples

• The smell of baking permeated the whole street. tree →
• Rainwater permeates the sandy soil quickly. tree →
• A feeling of excitement permeated the school before the holidays. tree →
• Damp permeated the walls of the old house. tree →
• Music permeated every corner of the hall. tree →
• Ink permeated the paper towel in our experiment. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Related: permeable (lets liquid through: sand, sponge), impermeable (does not: plastic, clay). Pronounced "PUR-mee-ate".

In Jewish tradition

In science, liquids and gases permeate materials like soil, rock and cloth; a permeable rock lets water through, an impermeable one does not. In stories, a smell, feeling or idea permeates a place: "Fear permeated the village." Formal word.

Note

Regular verb. Related: permeable (lets liquid through: sand, sponge), impermeable (does not: plastic, clay). Pronounced "PUR-mee-ate".