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noun Uncommon

penetration

peh-nih-TRAY-shuhn

Penetration (noun) means the act of entering into or passing through something. Example: “The bullet's penetration was stopped by the vest.”

noun
1
The act of entering into or passing through something.
"The bullet's penetration was stopped by the vest."
2
The proportion of a market or population that uses or owns a particular product.
"Smartphone penetration in the region has passed 90 percent."

How to Use Penetration

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act of getting into or through something, or how widely something has spread through a market.

Common pairings
market penetration deep penetration

Word Forms

penetrations plural

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Test yourself on “penetration” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bullet's _____ was stopped by the vest.

Etymology

From Latin penetratio, from penetrare ("to pierce, enter deeply").

Origin: Latin

market share uptake market reach

Related Words

Rhymes for penetration

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “penetration” mean?

The word “penetration” means the act of entering into or passing through something. In plain terms, the act of getting into or through something, or how widely something has spread through a market.

How do you pronounce “penetration”?

“Penetration” is pronounced peh-nih-TRAY-shuhn (/pɛ.nəˈtɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “penetration” in a sentence?

Here is “penetration” used in a sentence: “The bullet's penetration was stopped by the vest.”

What part of speech is “penetration”?

“Penetration” is a noun.

Where does the word “penetration” come from?

The word “penetration” comes from Latin. From Latin penetratio, from penetrare ("to pierce, enter deeply").

Is “penetration” a common word?

“Penetration” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “penetration” have?

“Penetration” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of entering into or passing through something.

What is the difference between penetration and market penetration?

Penetration in its general sense means the act of entering into or passing through something, while market penetration specifically measures the proportion of a market or population that uses or owns a particular product. The general meaning applies to physical entry, while the business meaning applies to adoption rates.

What does high market penetration mean for a product?

High market penetration means a large proportion of the target market or population already uses or owns the product. Businesses track this figure to understand how much room remains for growth versus how saturated the market already is.

How is penetration used in a technical or business context?

In business and technology contexts, penetration most often refers to market penetration, the share of a market or population using a given product. In more general or physical contexts, it refers simply to the act of entering or passing through something.

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