American Dictionary

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Definition penetrate in American English

penetrate verb

verb
/ˈpenəˌtreɪt/
1

to get inside an object or body by getting through something

Example

A piece of glass had penetrated the skin.

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1.1

to get inside an area by getting past something that is intended to stop you

Example

They had penetrated deep into enemy territory.

Example

One of them managed to penetrate airport security.

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2

to get through something into a place and be heard, seen, or felt by people in it

Example

Few sounds penetrate the thick walls.

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3

to reach or affect something such as a part of society

Example

one of the last cultures in the world that television has not penetrated

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4

to be noticed or understood by someone

Example

Their advice never even penetrated his consciousness.

Example

What she said didn't penetrate until just now.

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5

to become a member of a group in order to find out secret information about them

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6

if a man penetrates someone, he puts his penis into his partner's vagina or anus during sex

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Definition penetrate in American English