puncture

1 of 2

noun

punc·​ture ˈpəŋk-chər How to pronounce puncture (audio)
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 How to pronounce puncture (audio)
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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Doctors at the hospital allegedly told police Hannah had three puncture wounds, per the affidavit. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Conservative treatment for a CSF leak involves rest, lying flat, and increasing your fluid intake to give your spine time to heal the puncture. Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024
Verb
Swordfish and needlefish can both leap out of the water, and both have sharp bills that can puncture skin and cause harm. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 Trolls claim to be puncturing pieties, saving the sanctimonious from themselves. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for puncture 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of puncture was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near puncture

Cite this Entry

“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puncture. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

puncture

1 of 2 noun
punc·​ture ˈpəŋ(k)-chər How to pronounce puncture (audio)
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 How to pronounce puncture (audio)
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 How to pronounce puncture (audio)
1
: an act of puncturing
2
: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing

puncture

2 of 2 verb

transitive verb

: to pierce with or as if with a pointed instrument or object
puncture the skin with a needle

More from Merriam-Webster on puncture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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