abscess

American  

[ab-ses] / ˈæb sɛs /

noun

Pathology.

1. a localized collection of pus in the tissues of the body, often accompanied by swelling and inflammation and frequently caused by bacteria.

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abscess British  

/ ˈæbsɛs, -sɪs /

noun

1. a localized collection of pus formed as the product of inflammation and usually caused by bacteria

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verb

1. (intr) to form such a collection of pus

abscess Scientific  

/ ăb′sĕs′ /

1. A localized collection of pus surrounded by infected tissue.

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abscess Cultural  

1. An inflamed area (see inflammation) in the body tissues that is filled with pus.

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Other Word Forms

• abscessed adjective
• unabscessed adjective

Etymology

Origin of abscess

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin abscessus “departure,” noun use of past participle of abscēdere “to go away, separate off, form an abscess,” from abs- abs- + cēdere “to go, yield” ( cede )

Example Sentences

Aleisha Rochester, 33, a bank cashier from Croydon, south London, died two weeks after undergoing a routine procedure to remove an abscess from her left armpit.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

ICE officials acknowledged that Ayala-Uribe died at the Victorville hospital while waiting for surgery for an abscess on his buttock.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025

Alas, we’ll never know what Leni might have achieved as talking pictures staked their claim, for a tooth abscess went septic and killed him at age 44 in 1929.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

You didn’t die of a tooth abscess that turned into sepsis.

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2024

Or like I have a horribly distended belly, like an abscess, and have ventured to New York for surgery at one of their world-famous belly abscess hospitals.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

Related Words

• ulcer