puncheon

[ puhn-chuhn ]

/ ˈpʌn tʃən /

Save This Word!

noun

a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).

the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of puncheon

1425–75; Middle English ponchoun, punchon<Middle French ponçon, perhaps to be identified with puncheon²

Words nearby puncheon

punch bowl, punch card, punch-drunk, punched card, punched tape, puncheon, punch in, Punchinello, punching bag, punch line, punch list

Other definitions for puncheon (2 of 2)

puncheon²

[ puhn-chuhn ]

/ ˈpʌn tʃən /

noun

a heavy slab of timber, roughly dressed, for use as a floorboard.

a short, upright framing timber.

(in goldsmith work)

any of various pointed instruments; a punch.
a stamping tool.

Origin of puncheon

1325–75; Middle English ponson, punçon, ponchoun<Middle French ponçon<Latin pūnctiōn- (stem of pūnctiō) a pricking, hence, pricking tool, equivalent to pūnct(us) (past participle of pungere to prick; cf. point) + -iōn--ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use puncheon in a sentence

I watched the bar of sunlight slowly move over the rough puncheon floor.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
As cautiously as possible we removed several of the puncheon slabs next to the wall.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
Puncheon floors used t' be good enough fer anybody t' dance on.
The Shepherd of the Hills|Harold Bell Wright
Then, grudgingly, it rumbled over the puncheon floor until Cooper set the four chocks back under the wheels.
Shaman|Robert Shea

An hour later we came upon a small log cabin, having a roof of spruce bark, no floor, but a puncheon door and one window.
Muskrat City|Henry Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for puncheon (1 of 2)

puncheon¹

/ (ˈpʌntʃən) /

noun

a large cask of variable capacity, usually between 70 and 120 gallons

the volume of such a cask used as a liquid measure

Word Origin for puncheon

C15 poncion, from Old French ponchon, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for puncheon (2 of 2)

puncheon²

/ (ˈpʌntʃən) /

noun

a short wooden post that is used as a vertical strut

a less common name for punch 2 (def. 1)

Word Origin for puncheon

C14 ponson, from Old French ponçon, from Latin punctiō a puncture, from pungere to prick

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012