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

The Jeep quickly slammed into him, crushing his left leg so severely doctors would later need to amputate it below the knee. —Matthew Dolan, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024

His right leg was severed upon impact while the left was shattered and had to be amputated. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 2 Sep. 2024

One teen had his toes amputated after a guard crushed his foot in the door, while another suffered severe brain damage after guards were slow to respond to her suicide attempt. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2024

Goldberg-Polin appeared with his left hand amputated in a video released by Hamas in late April. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 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