perforate
verb
per·fo·rate
ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt 
perforated; perforating
1
: to make a hole through
especially
: to make a line of holes in to facilitate separation
2
: to pass through or into by or as if by making a hole
: to penetrate a surface
Examples of perforate in a Sentence
Cover the bowl with aluminum foil, and then use a fork to perforate the foil.
he perforated the sheet with his pencil and put it in his binder
Recent Examples on the Web
This condition occurs when an untreated ulcer perforates the lining of the bowel, creating an opening to another area of the body, Melmed explains.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Those talons are going to perforate a colon with a swiftness, and no one wants to go to the emergency room with a gel tip stuck in the rectum.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 July 2024
The medium-firm mattress is made with memory foam, which molds to the body and is perforated with tiny holes to keep the body cool throughout the night.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024
In March, 16 days after Sirica first treated the incapacitated red-tailed hawk, Paula Goldberg, former executive director of City Wildlife, opened the trunk of her Toyota SUV to reveal a small white box perforated with air holes.
—Bydina Fine Maron, science.org, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for perforate 
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.
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Those talons are going to perforate a colon with a swiftness, and no one wants to go to the emergency room with a gel tip stuck in the rectum.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 July 2024
The medium-firm mattress is made with memory foam, which molds to the body and is perforated with tiny holes to keep the body cool throughout the night.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024
In March, 16 days after Sirica first treated the incapacitated red-tailed hawk, Paula Goldberg, former executive director of City Wildlife, opened the trunk of her Toyota SUV to reveal a small white box perforated with air holes.
—Bydina Fine Maron, science.org, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for perforate
Dictionary Entries Near perforate
Cite this Entry
“Perforate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perforate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perforate
verb
per·fo·rate
ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt
perforated; perforating
: to make a hole or series of holes through
especially
: to make a line of holes to make tearing easy and neat
sheets of stamps are perforated
Medical Definition
perforate
verb
per·fo·rate
ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt
perforated; perforating
1
: to make a hole through
an ulcer perforates the duodenal wall
2
: to enter or extend through
the nerve perforates the dura mater
: to penetrate a surface
the wound in the forearm was perforating—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share