amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
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 noun

Examples of amputate in a Sentence

His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An ultimatum at Scout Bassett’s first race kicked off a lifelong love of running Born in Nanjing in eastern China, Bassett had her right leg amputated as a toddler due to injuries from a chemical fire. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 Unfortunately, the months of grueling treatment were unsuccessful and the last option was to amputate Shaun's entire arm. Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 An Australian woman diagnosed with the incredibly rare cancer of epithelioid sarcoma at age 22, Ainscough rejected her oncologist’s advice to amputate the affected arm and instead opted for Gerson therapy. Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025 Eagle was immediately taken to a veterinarian, who said that if the dog’s leg wasn’t amputated quickly, the infection would become life-threatening. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amputate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of amputate was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amputate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amputate. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

amputate

verb
am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating
: to cut off
especially : to cut off an arm or leg from the body
amputation noun

Medical Definition

amputate

transitive verb
am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating
: to cut (as a limb) from the body
amputation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on amputate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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