Definition of "percolate" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To pass a liquid through a porous substance; to filter.

2. (intransitive) To drain or seep through a porous substance.

   • Water percolates through sand.

3. (transitive) To make (coffee) in a percolator.

   • I'll percolate some coffee.

4. (intransitive) (of coffee) to be prepared by percolation; (of a coffee pot) to brew coffee in this way.

5. (intransitive, figuratively) To spread slowly or gradually; to slowly become noticed or realised.

   • Reports on the pitiful state of many prisons have finally percolated through to the Home Office, which has promised to look into the situation.
   • Through media reports it percolated to the surface that the police investigation was profoundly flawed.

noun

1. (rare) A liquid that has been percolated.