Saturation: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used in scientific and technological contexts, such as physics, chemistry, and color theory. It describes the state when something is completely filled or soaked with a substance, such as light, color, or liquid.

• The colors in the photo have high saturation, making them appear very vibrant.
• The ground reached saturation after the heavy rain, causing flooding.

Typically used in everyday speech and writing to describe the state of being full. It can describe physical fullness, such as with food, or metaphorical fullness, such as in emotions or life experiences.

• After that huge meal, I felt a sense of fullness.
• The fullness of her life was evident in all the stories she told.

This word is also more literary and denotes the gradual spreading or infusion of a particular quality, typically color or light, over something. It has a gentle, often positive connotation.

• There was a beautiful suffusion of pink in the sky at dawn.
• Her face showed a suffusion of emotions when she received the good news.

This word is more poetic and literary, used to describe the act of filling something or someone with a particular quality, feeling, or color. It often has a positive or enriching connotation.

• The artist's work is known for imbuing a sense of calm and serenity.
• Her speech was effective in imbuing the audience with hope and inspiration.

Use 'saturation' when describing a situation where something is completely soaked or filled to capacity, often used in both literal and figurative senses.

• The sponge reached its saturation point and could not hold any more water.
• The market has reached saturation with so many similar products available.

Use 'imbibition' specifically when talking about the uptake or absorption of a liquid, mostly in scientific contexts related to biology or chemistry.

• The plant seeds undergo imbibition to start the germination process.
• The scientist explained the imbibition of water by the dry sponge.

Use 'impregnation' when referring to the process of something being thoroughly infused or filled with a substance, often used in manufacturing or materials science.

• The wood underwent resin impregnation to make it more durable.
• The textile was subject to impregnation with a waterproofing agent.

Use 'permeation' when discussing the process of a substance spreading or passing through another, often referring to gases or liquids moving through materials.

• The investigators checked for gas permeation through the container.
• The perfume's scent gradually spread by permeation throughout the room.