permeated

Permeate is a verb that means to spread through, diffuse into, or saturate something with a substance or influence. The form “permeated” describes something that has already been thoroughly penetrated or filled. In ordinary language, a smell, light, or moisture can permeate a space, while a mood or idea can permeate a culture or community.

Permeation is a process in which molecules move from one side of a barrier to the other. In chemistry, biology, and materials science, it describes passage through porous materials, membranes, or coatings. The rate of permeation depends on factors such as the penetrant’s solubility in the material, its diffusivity, the material’s thickness, and the driving force (concentration, pressure, or temperature). Professionals discuss permeability and permeability coefficients to quantify this behavior. Permeation is critical in packaging to prevent gas exchange, in filtration and dialysis to separate substances, and in electronics and energy storage where barriers control transport of ions or gases.

Figurative usage is common in prose. A publication can be permeated by a particular viewpoint, or a city can be permeated by noise or culture, indicating widespread presence rather than literal penetration. The term is closely related to pervade and soak but conveys crossing a boundary as well as filling or saturating.

Etymology: permeate derives from Latin permeare, from per- “through” + meare “to pass.” The noun permeation and related forms are used in technical and descriptive contexts.