(penetrates, penetrating, penetrated)
1.
If something or someone penetrates a physical object or an area, they succeed in getting into it or passing through it.
X-rays can penetrate many objects...
VERB: V n
• penetration (penetrations)
The exterior walls are three to three and a half feet thick to prevent penetration by bombs.
N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl
2.
If someone penetrates an organization, a group, or a profession, they succeed in entering it although it is difficult to do so.
...the continuing failure of women to penetrate the higher levels of engineering...
VERB: V n
3.
If someone penetrates an enemy group or a rival organization, they succeed in joining it in order to get information or cause trouble.
The CIA had requested our help to penetrate a drugs ring operating out of Munich...
= infiltrate
VERB: V n
• penetration
...the successful penetration by the KGB of the French intelligence service.
= infiltration
N-UNCOUNT: with supp
4.
If a company or country penetrates a market or area, they succeed in selling their products there. (BUSINESS)
There have been around 15 attempts from outside France to penetrate the market.
VERB: V n
• penetration
...import penetration across a broad range of heavy industries.
N-UNCOUNT: with supp