permeate

/ˌpʌrmiˈeɪt/

/ˈpʌmieɪt/

Other forms: permeated; permeates; permeating

When you live in a big city like New York, you know all too well how the smells of spices and cooking meats can permeate a hallway, easily passing through those thin apartment doors to make your mouth water.

The verb permeate literally means to "pass through." It's often used to describe smells or liquids that not only pass through, but also spread to fill an entire area. When you bake cookies, you'll notice that the rich, sweet smell of those cookies isn't confined just to your oven — it permeates the entire kitchen and even the whole house. In science class, you might have learned about a permeable membrane — a thin material that is porous enough to let liquids or gases to pass through.

Definitions of permeate

1. verb

   spread or diffuse through
   “An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration”

   synonyms: diffuse, imbue, interpenetrate, penetrate, pervade, riddle

   types:

   spiritise, spiritize

   imbue with a spirit

   type of:

   penetrate, perforate

   pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
2. verb

   pass through
   “Water permeates sand easily”

   synonyms: filter, percolate, sink in

   types:

   infiltrate

   pass into or through by filtering or permeating

   infiltrate

   cause (a liquid) to enter by penetrating the interstices

   type of:

   penetrate, perforate

   pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
3. verb

   penetrate mutually or be interlocked
   synonyms: interpenetrate

   types:

   invade

   penetrate or assault, in a harmful or injurious way

   type of:

   penetrate, perforate

   pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance