porosity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2technical/scientific/academic
Quick answer
What does “porosity” mean?
The state or quality of being porous.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or quality of being porous; having tiny holes or passages that allow air or liquid to pass through.
The degree to which a material (e.g., rock, soil, concrete, or a manufactured product) contains void spaces, often expressed as a percentage of the total volume. Also used metaphorically to describe susceptibility to influence or penetration (e.g., 'the porosity of national borders').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Identical; strictly technical/scientific.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in soil science/geology contexts due to traditional academic focus; equally common in US engineering/materials science.
Grammar
How to Use “porosity” in a Sentence
[the] porosity of [NP][Adj] porosity [in/of] [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “porosity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No direct verb form; 'make porous' or 'perforate' used instead.]
American English
- [No direct verb form; 'porosify' is extremely rare/technical.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form; 'porously' is non-standard.]
American English
- [No adverb form; 'in a porous manner' is used if needed.]
adjective
British English
- The porous limestone allowed rapid drainage.
- A highly porous membrane was selected.
American English
- The porous rock formations store oil.
- We need a less porous sealant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing, construction, or materials procurement (e.g., 'We need concrete with low porosity for the foundation.')
Academic
Central in geology, materials science, soil science, engineering papers.
Everyday
Rare; might appear in DIY contexts (e.g., discussing plaster or wood).
Technical
Precise, quantitative term in lab reports, specifications, research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “porosity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “porosity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “porosity”
- Using 'porosity' to mean 'permeability' without qualification. Pronouncing it /pə'rɒsɪti/ (stress error).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Porosity is the measure of void spaces in a material (how many holes). Permeability is the measure of how easily fluids can flow through those connected spaces (how well the holes are linked). A material can be porous but impermeable if the pores are not interconnected.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'the porosity of national borders' describes how easily people or goods cross them, and 'porosity of memory' describes how easily false memories can enter.
No, it is primarily a technical/scientific term. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to use simpler terms like 'full of holes', 'absorbent', or 'spongy'.
It is typically measured as a percentage or fraction representing the volume of voids over the total volume. Common laboratory methods include mercury intrusion porosimetry, gas expansion, or fluid saturation techniques.
The state or quality of being porous.
Porosity is usually technical/scientific/academic in register.
Porosity: in British English it is pronounced /pɔːˈrɒs.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɔːˈrɑː.sə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms; term is technical]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPONGE – it's full of holes. POROSITY sounds like 'pore' + 'city' – a city of tiny pores.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIALS ARE CONTAINERS (with holes); BORDERS ARE FILTERS (with varying porosity).
Practice
Quiz
In geology, 'porosity' is most closely related to which of the following concepts?