verb

permeate

PER-mee-ayt/ˈpɜːrmieɪt/

Spread throughout or pass through something.

The blue dye permeates the water, spreading through it in branching currents.

Blue dye spreads through a clear glass of water, with branching translucent currents reaching throughout the water rather than remaining as a separate layer.

Etymology

perLatinthrough

+meLatinto pass

+ateLatinpast-participle ending

The core image is passing through something, not breaking it open. This fits the selected sense of spreading throughout a substance or reaching every part of it.

In context

Justin Outdoors53:31

there's something about the last 4 days that led to the membranes breaking and air being allowed to permeate through the membranes

36 Days Solo Thru-Hiking the Rocky Mountains | Full Documentary

More examples

Rainwater slowly permeates the soil.
A sense of excitement permeates the entire school.
Smoke from the campfire permeated our clothes.

Forms

permeate · permeates · permeated · permeating

permeation noun — The process of spreading throughout something.

permeable adjective — Allowing liquids or gases to pass through.

Similar words

pervade: Emphasizes spreading throughout a space rather than passing through barriers.
penetrate: Emphasizes entering or passing through a surface or barrier.