puncture

1 of 2

noun

punc·​ture ˈpəŋk-chər 

1

: an act of puncturing

2

: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing

3

: a minute depression

puncture

2 of 2

verb

punctured; puncturing ˈpəŋk-chə-riŋ 

ˈpəŋk-shriŋ

transitive verb

1

: to pierce with or as if with a pointed instrument or object

2

: to make useless or ineffective as if by a puncture : deflate

intransitive verb

: to become punctured

Synonyms

Noun

• perforation
• pinhole
• pinprick
• prick
• punch
• stab

Verb

• bore
• drill
• hole
• perforate
• pierce
• punch
• riddle

Examples of puncture in a Sentence

Noun

a slight puncture of the skin

a leak caused by several small punctures in the rubber gasket

Verb

a nail punctured the tire

I could never puncture my own skin with a hypodermic needle.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The airless rubber tires require zero air and stand up against punctures from gravel and other terrain elements. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024

Your provider will roll a tool covered in tiny needles across your skin, making little punctures. —Laura Schober, Health, 24 Nov. 2024

Verb

The blast killed 18 sailors and punctured the hull. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Officers gave chase and used a device similar to a spike strip to puncture the tires of the cars, but the drivers continued onto northbound Highway 101, police said. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin punctura, from punctus, past participle of pungere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1675, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing puncture

• lumbar puncture
• puncture vine

Kids Definition

puncture

1 of 2 noun

punc·​ture ˈpəŋ(k)-chər 

1

: the act of puncturing

2

: a hole or wound made by puncturing

a slight puncture of the skin

a tire puncture

puncture

2 of 2 verb

punctured; puncturing ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-riŋ 

ˈpəŋ(k)-shriŋ

1

: to make a hole with a point

a nail punctured the tire

2

: to suffer a puncture of

punctured the tire on a nail

3

: to become punctured

worn tires puncture easily

4

: to make useless or ridiculous as if by a puncture

puncture an argument

Medical Definition

puncture

1 of 2 noun

punc·​ture ˈpəŋ(k)-chər 

1

: an act of puncturing

2

: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing

puncture

2 of 2 verb

punctured; puncturing ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-riŋ, ˈpəŋ(k)-shriŋ 

transitive verb

: to pierce with or as if with a pointed instrument or object

puncture the skin with a needle

intransitive verb

: to become punctured