First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
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
1
: an act of puncturing
2
: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing
3
: a minute depression
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Origin of PUNCTURE
Middle English, from Latin punctura, from punctus, past participle of pungere
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
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
See puncture defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PUNCTURE
1699
PUNCTURE[1] Defined for Kids
1puncture
noun punc·ture \ˈpəŋk-chər\
Definition of PUNCTURE for Kids
1
: an act of piercing with something pointed
2
: a hole or wound made by piercing with something pointed
2puncture
verb
punc·turedpunc·tur·ing
Definition of PUNCTURE for Kids
1
: to pierce with something pointed
2
: 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.
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