The word "penetration" refers to the act of entering or breaking through a barrier or a substance. It can describe the process of going through a physical object or material, like a bullet penetrating a wall, or it can refer to a more abstract idea, like understanding complex thoughts or feelings. In a business context, "penetration" can also refer to the market penetration of a product, meaning how well it is accepted or how much of the market it captures.
The word "penetration" comes from the Latin word "penetratio" which means "a piercing." It is derived from the verb "penetrare," meaning "to enter" or "to pierce." The transition into English occurred in the late Middle Ages.