English Explanatory Dictionary

penetrate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to pierce.
To achieve understanding of, despite some obstacle; to comprehend; to understand.
To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to move deeply.
To infiltrate an enemy to gather intelligence.
To insert the penis into an orifice, such as a vagina, mouth, or anus.
To move a piece past the defending pieces of one's opponent.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɛnɪtɹeɪt/ /ˈpɛnətɹeɪt/ en-us-penetrate.ogg

Word forms

penetrate penetrates penetrating penetrated

Etymology

From Latin penētrātus, perfect passive participle of penētrō (“to put, set, or place within, enter, pierce, penetrate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from penes (“within, with”) by analogy to intrō (“to go in, enter”). Compare French pénétrer.

Synonyms

ransack

Related words

double-penetrate

Derived words

impenetrate interpenetrate nonpenetrated overpenetrate penetrable penetrance penetratee penetrating fluid penetrating oil penetration penetrator repenetrate underpenetrated unpenetrated

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