permeability
permeability Lexical Profile
permeability Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The state or quality of a material, soil, or biological membrane that allows liquids, gases, or dissolved substances to pass through it.
"Sandy soil has high permeability, allowing rainwater to drain rapidly rather than pooling on the surface."
A quantitative measure of the ability of a substance to sustain a magnetic field within itself in response to an applied magnetic force (in physics and electromagnetism).
"Engineers selected a soft iron core because its high magnetic permeability greatly strengthens the electromagnet."
The degree to which boundaries, systems, or social groups are open to outside influences, movement, or exchange.
"Historians noted the cultural permeability of the border region, where languages and traditions blended freely."
Word Nuance & Usage
In earth sciences and engineering, 'permeability' (how easily fluids flow through a material) is distinct from 'porosity' (the total volume of empty spaces within the material); a rock can have high porosity yet low permeability if its pores are not interconnected.
• Rhymes for permeability
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in English from 'permeable' + '-ity', ultimately tracing back to Late Latin 'permeabilis', from Latin 'permeare' (to pass through), composed of 'per-' (through) and 'meare' (to go or pass).