amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt 

amputated; amputating

transitive verb

: to remove by or as if by cutting

especially : to cut (a part, such as a limb) from the body

amputation

ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Examples of amputate in a Sentence

His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pistorius' legs were amputated below the knee after he was born with a congenital defect that left him missing his fibular bones. —Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

In 2007, his right leg was amputated due to complications from these injuries. —Roland Oputa, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024

Now, a federal jury in Mobile has ruled in the favor of Canyon Moye, who had all the toes on his left foot amputated in February 2020 while he was incarcerated at Fountain Correctional Facility in Escambia County, court records show. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024

What was the cast’s reaction to having Antonia Thomas back, but then also giving her cancer, a virus and then ultimately amputating her arm? —Meredith Woerner, Variety, 22 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin amputātus, past participle of amputāre "to prune back (a plant), prune away, remove by cutting (unwanted parts or features), cut off (a branch, limb, body part)," from am-, assimilated variant of amb- "about, around" + putāre "to prune, make clean or tidy, scour (wool)" — more at ambient entry 1, putative

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt 

amputated; amputating

: to cut off

especially : to cut off an arm or leg from the body

amputation

ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

amputate

transitive verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt 

amputated; amputating

: to cut (as a limb) from the body

amputation

ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

noun