Meaning of the word penetrate in English

What does penetrate mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

penetrate

US /ˈpen.ə.treɪt/
UK /ˈpen.ɪ.treɪt/
"penetrate" picture

Verb

1.

to go into or through something, especially with force or difficulty

Example:
•
The bullet penetrated the wall.
•
The roots of the tree can penetrate deep into the soil.
2.

to succeed in becoming part of an organization or system, especially in a way that is not welcome

Example:
•
The spy managed to penetrate the enemy's defenses.
•
It's difficult for new companies to penetrate the established market.
3.

to understand or discover something that is difficult to understand or find out

Example:
•
It took a long time to penetrate the mystery of the ancient ruins.
•
His words failed to penetrate her stubborn mind.