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¹puncture

noun punc·ture \ˈpəŋk-chər\

: a hole or wound made by a sharp point

: a small hole in a tire that causes it to lose air

Full Definition of PUNCTURE

: an act of puncturing

: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing

: a minute depression

See puncture defined for English-language learners

See puncture defined for kids

Origin of PUNCTURE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PUNCTURE

Synonyms: perforation, pinhole, pinprick, punch, prick, stab

²puncture

verb

: to make a hole in (something) with a sharp point

: to weaken, damage, or destroy (something, such as an argument or a person's feelings, pride, etc.) suddenly or in a way that causes surprise or embarrassment

of a sound : to interrupt (silence) in a sudden and unexpected way

punc·turedpunc·tur·ing \ˈpəŋk-chə-riŋ, ˈpəŋk-shriŋ\

Full Definition of PUNCTURE

transitive verb

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

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

intransitive verb

: to become punctured

See puncture defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of PUNCTURE

1699

Related to PUNCTURE

Synonyms: bore, drill, hole, pierce, punch, perforate, riddle

PUNCTURE Defined for Kids

¹puncture

noun punc·ture \ˈpəŋk-chər\

Definition of PUNCTURE for Kids

: an act of piercing with something pointed

: a hole or wound made by piercing with something pointed

²puncture

verb

punc·turedpunc·tur·ing

Definition of PUNCTURE for Kids

: to pierce with something pointed

: to weaken or damage as if by piercing a hole in <My response punctured his argument.>

Word Root of PUNCTURE

The Latin word pungere, meaning “to prick” or “to pierce,” and its form punctus give us the roots pung and punct. Words from the Latin pungere have something to do with pricking or piercing. To puncture is to pierce with something pointed. A pungent smell is one that is so strong and sharp that it pierces the nose. Someone punctual acts at the exact point when the hands of the clock prick the right moment. Punctuation pierces a string of words to form separate sentences.