What does seepage mean?
Seepage is the gradual movement of a liquid through porous material such as soil, sand, or rock, or the small amount of liquid that escapes in this way. It commonly appears in discussions of geology, foundations, reservoirs, roads, and environmental contamination. Unlike a leak, which may be sudden and obvious, seepage is typically slow and can be difficult to detect; nevertheless, it can accumulate over time or reveal the presence of moisture moving underground. The word can also describe a faint flow or residue of liquid that has escaped from a surface. In general writing, seepage suggests a quiet, persistent movement rather than a dramatic discharge, making it especially useful when precision about the manner of liquid escape matters.
nounThe slow passage or gradual leakage of a liquid through soil, rock, or another porous material. It can also refer more generally to a small amount of liquid that has escaped or seeped out.
- The slow passage of liquid through soil, rock, or another porous material.
- A small amount of liquid that has escaped or leaked out gradually.
"Rainwater seepage through the soil caused the foundations to become damp."
"The engineers investigated the seepage of water beneath the reservoir."
"A faint seepage of oil was visible along the edge of the pavement."
The plural is used when referring to separate occurrences or instances of seepage.
"Engineers monitored seepages around the foundations after the heavy rainfall."
A seepage may be nearly invisible, yet enough water moving slowly through soil or rock can weaken foundations and reshape the landscape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seepage come from?
Seepage was formed in the 19th century from the verb seep and the suffix -age, which indicates an action, process, or resulting amount. The word seep is of uncertain origin and is recorded in Middle English. Its formation follows the productive English pattern of adding -age to verbs to name an action or its result, as in drainage from drain or breakage from break.
How seepage is actually used
The term is most often used in technical contexts, especially geology, construction, and environmental science, but it is also used in general descriptions of slow liquid leakage. It is not normally used for a sudden or substantial escape of liquid.
Easily confused with seepage
Leakage is a more general term for liquid escaping through an opening or defect, whereas seepage usually emphasizes slow passage through porous material.