penetrate
/ˈpɛnəˌtreɪt/
verb
penetrates;
penetrated;
penetrating
penetrates;
penetrated;
penetrating
Britannica Dictionary definition of PENETRATE
1
:
to go through or into something
[+ object]
[no object]
-
The bullet failed to penetrate.
-
The heat penetrated through the wall.
-
The roots of these plants have been known to penetrate to a depth of more than 15 feet.
2
[+ object]
:
to see or show the way through (something)
-
Our eyes were unable to penetrate the darkness. [=we were unable to see through the darkness]
-
My car's headlights couldn't penetrate the dense fog.
-
They were unable to penetrate his disguise. [=to see or realize who he really was behind his disguise]
3
[+ object]
:
to succeed in becoming part of (an organization, a community, etc.)
4
[+ object]
:
to succeed in understanding or finding (something)
5
:
to be understood or noticed by someone
[+ object]
[no object]
6
[+ object]
of a man
:
to put the penis into the vagina or the anus of (another person) during sex