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

LaVar Ball, the charismatic father of NBA guards Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, as well as budding star rapper LiAngelo Ball, recently opened up about what caused the need for a large portion of his right leg to be amputated. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025

On the very first day after his team’s plane to nationals crashed in the Canadian wilderness, Misty Quigley (Samantha Hanratty) amputated Ben’s leg with an ax. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

Lawrence had a leg and finger amputated, but ultimately survived the ordeal. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

The man had to have his limb amputated within 24 hours. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for amputate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• angulate

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