pen·e·trate 
/ˈpɛnəˌtreɪt/ verb
pen·e·trates; pen·e·trat·ed; pen·e·trat·ing /ˈpɛnəˌtreɪt/ verb 1 : to go through or into something [+ obj] ▪ These bullets can penetrate armor. ▪ radiation penetrating the Earth's atmosphere [no obj] ▪ The bullet failed to penetrate. ▪ The heat penetrated through the wall. ▪ The roots of these plants have been known to penetrate to a depth of more than 15 feet. 2 [+ obj] : to see or show the way through (something)
▪ Our eyes were unable to penetrate the darkness. [=we were unable to see through the darkness] ▪ My car's headlights couldn't penetrate the dense fog. ▪ They were unable to penetrate his disguise. [=to see or realize who he really was behind his disguise] 3 [+ obj] : to succeed in becoming part of (an organization, a community, etc.)
▪ The movie is about foreign agents who penetrate [=infiltrate] the CIA. ▪ The company is trying to penetrate [=sell its products in] the U.S. market. 4 [+ obj] : to succeed in understanding or finding (something)
▪ scientists trying to penetrate the secrets hidden in our genes ▪ attempting to penetrate the mysteries of human nature 5 : to be understood or noticed by someone [+ obj] ▪ The truth had not yet penetrated my consciousness. [=I had not yet realized the truth] [no obj] ▪ The truth had not yet penetrated. 6 [+ obj] of a man : to put the penis into the vagina or the anus of (another person) during sex
▪ Our eyes were unable to penetrate the darkness. [=we were unable to see through the darkness] ▪ My car's headlights couldn't penetrate the dense fog. ▪ They were unable to penetrate his disguise. [=to see or realize who he really was behind his disguise]
▪ The movie is about foreign agents who penetrate [=infiltrate] the CIA. ▪ The company is trying to penetrate [=sell its products in] the U.S. market.
▪ scientists trying to penetrate the secrets hidden in our genes ▪ attempting to penetrate the mysteries of human nature
