Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Penetration has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
"The general ordered a rapid penetration deep into enemy territory to disrupt their supply lines before dawn."
clear or deep perception of a situation
"Her sharp penetration into the complex details of the case allowed her to solve the mystery quickly."
the act of entering into or through something
"the penetration of upper management by women"
the ability to make way into or through something
"the greater penetration of the new projectiles will result in greater injuries"
the depth to which something penetrates (especially the depth reached by a projectile that hits a target)
"The armor on the tank was designed to withstand high-velocity rounds and limit penetration."
the act (by a man) of inserting his penis into the vagina of a woman
"The couple finally achieved penetration after hours of foreplay."
The act of penetrating something.
"The sharp arrow caused deep penetration into the wooden shield."
In plain English: Penetration is when something goes deep into another object or area, often by breaking through it.
"The sharp knife showed impressive penetration through the thick wood with just one strike."
The word penetration comes from the Latin penetrāre, meaning "to pierce," which entered English via Old French as a noun describing that same action. It traveled into Middle English with its original sense of piercing through something, retaining this core idea in modern usage.