: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (such as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria)
Examples of pus in a Sentence
Pus oozed from the cat's injured ear.
Recent Examples on the Web
These hydrocolloid stickers draw out pus and oil from pesky pimples.
—
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 Oct. 2024
Larger pimples that contain pus are called pustules.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024
In pneumonia, one or both lungs are infected and may be filled with pus or fluid.19 Pleurisy occurs when the two thin layers of tissues that separate the lungs from the chest walls are inflamed, causing chest pain.20
Pneumonia can also cause stabbing or sharp pain on any side of the chest.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 19 Sep. 2024
She was started on antibiotics and rushed to the operating room, where surgeons scraped out pus and necrotic tissue—the consequence of a raging MRSA infection.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pus 
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.
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 Oct. 2024
Larger pimples that contain pus are called pustules.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024
In pneumonia, one or both lungs are infected and may be filled with pus or fluid.19 Pleurisy occurs when the two thin layers of tissues that separate the lungs from the chest walls are inflamed, causing chest pain.20
Pneumonia can also cause stabbing or sharp pain on any side of the chest.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 19 Sep. 2024
She was started on antibiotics and rushed to the operating room, where surgeons scraped out pus and necrotic tissue—the consequence of a raging MRSA infection.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pus
Dictionary Entries Near pus
Cite this Entry
“Pus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pus. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pus
noun
: thick cloudy usually yellowish white fluid matter formed at a place of inflammation and infection (as an abscess) and containing white blood cells, tissue debris, and germs
Medical Definition
pus
noun
: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (as bacteria)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share