impermeability
/im,pə:mjə'biliti/ Cách viết khác : (impermeableness) /im'pə:mjəblnis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: The quality or state of being impermeable; the property of a material or substance that prevents the passage or penetration of fluids (such as liquids or gases) through it.
Usage
"Impermeability" is a technical term used primarily in scientific, engineering, and material contexts to describe a fundamental physical property. It is an uncountable noun.
Examples
- The impermeability of the new polymer coating makes it ideal for waterproofing electronics.
- One key function of cell membranes is selective transport, not complete impermeability.
- Engineers tested the impermeability of the concrete to ensure the basement would stay dry.
- The material's impermeability to gases is crucial for long-term food packaging.
Advanced Usage
- "Impermeability to [something]": This is the most common construction, specifying what cannot penetrate the material.
Variants and Related Words
- Impermeable (adjective): Not allowing fluid to pass through.
- Impermeableness (noun): A less common synonym for impermeability.
- Permeability (noun): The direct antonym, meaning the property of allowing fluids to pass through.
Synonyms
- Impenetrability (in the context of fluids)
- Nonporousness
- Sealed quality
Antonyms
- Permeability
- Porosity
- Absorbency
Notes on Meaning
The core meaning is the inability to be permeated. While the reference definition specifies "a liquid," the term is also correctly applied to gases. The focus is on the inherent property of the material itself, not a temporary condition.
Noun
- the property of something that cannot be pervaded by a liquid