verb
impregnate
To fill or permeate something with a substance.
Manufacturers impregnate the wood with resin to make it stronger.
Etymology
The Latin verb means to make pregnant. The material sense transfers the idea of being filled or charged with something to a substance permeating another material.
More examples
- The filter is impregnated with carbon to trap odors.
- Workers impregnate the fabric with wax to repel water.
- This process impregnates the concrete with a protective sealant.
Forms
impregnate · impregnates · impregnated · impregnating
impregnation noun — The process of permeating material with substances.