to pass into or through (something)
to enter (an organization or a market), esp by overcoming resistance
to insert the penis into the vagina or anus of (a sexual partner)
to see into or through (something)
trying to penetrate the darkness
to discover the inner contents or meaning of (something)
to diffuse through or into (something)
to be absorbed by the mind; to be understood
I heard what he said, but it didn't penetrate
penetrability /-trəʹbiliti/ noun
penetrable adj
penetrator noun
[Latin penetratus, past part. of penetrare]