penetrate

BrE /ˈpɛnɪtreɪt/ AmE /ˈpɛnəˌtreɪt/

verb en → es

past penetrated pp penetrated ing penetrating

1 ENTER/GO INTO [transitive] B2

to enter or go into a place, especially one that is difficult to get into

penetrar, entrar en

  • T + obj

Collocations penetrate a market · penetrate an area

  • The army managed to penetrate the enemy's lines.

    El ejército logró penetrar las líneas enemigas.

2 UNDERSTAND [transitive] C1

to understand or become aware of something difficult to understand

comprender, entender

  • T + obj

Collocations penetrate a mystery · penetrate the truth

  • It took years to penetrate the mysteries of quantum physics.

    Tomó años comprender los misterios de la física cuántica.

3 AFFECT [transitive] C1

to affect or influence something in a powerful way, especially when this is not expected

afectar, influir en

  • T + obj

Collocations penetrate a culture · penetrate an industry

  • The new technology has penetrated the market.

    La nueva tecnología ha penetrado el mercado.

4 PASS THROUGH [transitive] B2

to pass through something, especially when this is difficult or unexpected

atravesar, pasar a través de

  • T + obj

Collocations penetrate the skin · penetrate a barrier

  • The bullet penetrated his chest.

    La bala atravesó su pecho.