• (RP) IPA: /ˈpɜːmiˌeɪt/
• (America) IPA: /ˈpɝmiˌeɪ̯t/

permeate (permeates, present participle permeating; past and past participle permeated)

1. (transitive) 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

2. (transitive) To enter and spread through; to pervade.
   • 1906 April, O. Henry [pseudonym; William Sydney Porter], “From the Cabby’s Seat”, in The Four Million, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co, OCLC 1399985 ↗, page 165 ↗:

     In the fulness of time there was an eruption of the merry-makers to the sidewalk. The uninvited guests enveloped and permeated them, and upon the night air rose joyous cries, congratulations, laughter and unclassified noises born of McGary's oblations to the hymeneal scene.

   • 1922, William Shackleton, Shackleton's diaries January 4, 1922

     The old smell of dead whale permeates everything. It is a strange and curious place.

   • 1854, Saint Anselm, translated by Sidney Norton Deane, Proslogium and Monologium/Monologium/Chapter 14

     ...it is clear that this Being itself, is what supports and surpasses, includes and permeates all other things.

• French: s'infiltrer, s'insinuer
• German: durchsickern
• Portuguese: permear
• Russian: проса́чиваться
• Spanish: percolar, permear

• French: imprégner
• German: durchdringen, verbreiten
• Portuguese: permear
• Russian: распространя́ться
• Spanish: permear

permeate

1. A watery by-product of milk production.
2. Liquid that has passed through a filtration system.