1
a
: possessing or full of pores
b
: containing vessels
hardwood is porous
2
a
: permeable to fluids
b
: permeable to outside influences
3
: capable of being penetrated
porous national boundaries
porously
adverb
porousness
noun
Examples of porous in a Sentence
The country has a porous border.
a cleaner that should not be used on porous surfaces
Recent Examples on the Web
Laminate isn’t porous, but moisture can still seep into seams and edges, causing peeling or swelling over time, according to Stein.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
But the front line was porous, with locals travelling back and forth to visit relatives, obtain medical care, and collect pensions.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
West Ham have been porous defensively this season, conceding 46 goals in the Premier League.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
The porous perimeter defense is something the Knicks can’t afford: The best teams in basketball — the ones New York will have to beat in the playoffs — live at the three-point line.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for porous
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Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
But the front line was porous, with locals travelling back and forth to visit relatives, obtain medical care, and collect pensions.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
West Ham have been porous defensively this season, conceding 46 goals in the Premier League.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
The porous perimeter defense is something the Knicks can’t afford: The best teams in basketball — the ones New York will have to beat in the playoffs — live at the three-point line.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for porous
Cite this Entry
“Porous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porous. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
porous
adjective
po·rous
ˈpōr-əs 
ˈpȯr-
1
: full of pores
2
: capable of absorbing liquids
Medical Definition
porous
adjective
po·rous
ˈpōr-əs, ˈpȯr-
1
: possessing or full of pores
porous bones
2
: permeable to fluids
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