1. to pass slowly through a porous substance or small holes
2. to make coffee by passing hot water through ground coffee beans
3. to spread gradually or become known slowly
Usage: figurative

Examples

• Water will percolate through the soil after heavy rain.
• The coffee began to percolate in the old metal pot.
• News of the scandal started to percolate through the office.
• Let the water percolate through the filter before drinking.
• She likes to percolate her coffee slowly in the morning.
• The idea took time to percolate through the organization.
• Rainwater percolates down through layers of rock and sand.