permeable
PUR-mee-uh-bul
/ˈpɜːr.mi.ə.bəl/
Allowing liquids or gases to pass through material or surfaces.
In green urban design, permeable surfaces allow rainwater to soak naturally into soil rather than causing polluted urban runoff.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'permeabilis', combining 'per-' (through) and 'meare' (to glide or pass). The word transitioned from 17th-century fluid mechanics into 20th-century urban engineering to describe pavements designed to absorb rainwater.
Word relationships
- porous: Porous describes having physical tiny holes (pores), whereas permeable describes the functional ability to let fluids flow through.
- impermeable: Not allowing fluid to pass through.
- impervious: Incapable of being penetrated or affected by water.
Commonly confused with
- permeating: Permeable describes a property of a surface (allowing fluid through); permeating describes fluid actively spreading throughout space.
Word family
- permeability (noun): The state or quality of a material that allows liquids or gases to pass through.
- permeate (verb): To spread throughout every part of something.
Collocations
- permeable pavement
- permeable surface
- permeable pavers
- highly permeable
Example sentences
- "Replacing traditional concrete with permeable paving tiles prevented urban street flooding during heavy summer storms." Green Infrastructure
- "Permeable pavement allows stormwater to soak into the ground, filtering pollutants naturally and recharging regional groundwater aquifers." Environmental Guidelines
Memory hook
PERMEABLE lets liquid PERMEATE through the ground. Water glides right through it.
When not to use
Do not use for sealed, waterproof barriers like conventional asphalt or sheet metal roofs.
Fun facts
- Traditional asphalt covers over 30% of average American urban surfaces, creating massive heat and runoff spikes that permeable materials counteract.
Related words
Explore more words
permissive, transparent, particulate, malleable, renewable, sustainable
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