perforated
Americanadjective
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pierced with a hole or holes.
Punch out along the perforated line.
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Philately. (of a number of stamps joined together) having rows of closely spaced perforations dividing each stamp from the others.
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marked by or having perforation.
a perforated ulcer.
adjective
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pierced with one or more holes
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perf. (esp of stamps) having perforations
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of perforated
Explanation
Something perforated usually contains a series of tiny holes. You might see a perforated line on a utility bill, where you are supposed to tear off that part to mail in with your check. Anything with holes can be said to be perforated, especially if the holes are in a row or series. You wouldn't say something with one hole is perforated. This word can have some grim uses, like if you're talking about a murder victim whose body was perforated with bullets.
Vocabulary lists containing perforated
The Sea of Monsters
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Unit 4: Powerful Openings
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"Poetry"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A sheet of perforated metal sits at a jaunty angle atop a trio of differently sized pillars, while a T-shaped bar rests above it, defying gravity.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
In her two-minute video, Jackson explained that the “really loud whistle” from her nose comes from her perforated septum.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025
Robyn Goldie died after suffering a perforated duodenal ulcer.
From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025
I started doing research into really nerdy stuff, and the perforated walls you see in the dark corridors are shipping pallets.”
From Salon • Jul. 17, 2025
The lantern’s sides were perforated with pinholes, so at night glimmering constellations drifted across her walls.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
