penetration

Etymology

From Middle English penetracioun, from Old French penetracïon, and its source, Latin penetrātiō, from the participle stem of penetrō (“pierce”, verb). Morphologically penetrate + -ion

noun

1. The act of penetrating something.
   Any penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.
2. Specifically, the insertion of the penis (or similar object) during sexual intercourse.
3. The act of penetrating a given situation with the mind or faculties; perception, discernment.
   I have no respect for the penetration of any man who can read the report of that conversation, and still call the principal in it insane. 1859, Henry David Thoreau, A Plea for Captain John Brown
4. (blackjack) A number or fraction that represents how many cards/decks will be dealt before shuffling, in contrast to the total number of cards/decks in play.
5. (marketing) The proportion of the target audience who buy or use the specified product or service.
   The electrification of the lines radiating from Casablanca originated with the policy of economic penetration and conciliation pursued by Marshal Lyautey for the pacification of Morocco. 1950 March, “The Why and the Wherefore: Railway Electrification in Morocco”, in Railway Magazine, page 214