permeability

noun

per·​me·​abil·​i·​ty ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce permeability (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being permeable
2
: the property of a magnetizable substance that determines the degree in which it modifies the magnetic flux in the region occupied by it in a magnetic field

Examples of permeability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They are made of geotextile fabric, renowned for its water permeability. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026 The structure of micron-scale chambers restricts heat transfer while maintaining moisture permeability and quick-drying. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 The cell does this with a membrane permeable enough to let nutrients in but solid enough to hold the cell together, plus molecular controls to modulate that permeability as needed. — Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026 This ensures that the preferences of the central bank are closer to the government’s, which can boost the central bank’s legitimacy in democratic countries, but at the risk of permeability to political influence. — Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for permeability

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of permeability was in 1759

Rhymes for permeability

See All Rhymes for permeability

Browse Nearby Words

permatron
permeability
permeable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permeability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permeability. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

permeability

noun
per·​me·​abil·​i·​ty ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce permeability (audio)
: the quality or state of being permeable

Medical Definition

permeability

noun
per·​me·​abil·​i·​ty ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce permeability (audio)
plural permeabilities
: the quality or state of being permeable

More from Merriam-Webster on permeability

Nglish: Translation of permeability for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about permeability

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All