puncture

[ puhngk-cher ]

noun

1. the act of piercing or perforating, as with a pointed instrument or object.
2. a hole or mark so made.

   Synonyms: perforation, rupture, break

3. Zoology. a small pointlike depression.

verb (used with object)

, punc·tured, punc·tur·ing.

1. to pierce or perforate, as with a pointed instrument:

   to puncture leather with an awl.

2. to make (a hole, perforation, etc.) by piercing or perforating:

   He punctured a row of holes in the cardboard.

3. to make a puncture in:

   A piece of glass punctured the tire.

4. to reduce or diminish as if by piercing; damage; wound:

   to puncture a person's pride.

5. to cause to collapse or disintegrate; spoil; ruin:

   to puncture one's dream of success.

verb (used without object)

, punc·tured, punc·tur·ing.

1. to become punctured:

   These tires do not puncture easily.

puncture

/ ˈpʌŋktʃə /

noun

1. a small hole made by a sharp object
2. a perforation and loss of pressure in a pneumatic tyre, made by sharp stones, glass, etc
3. the act of puncturing or perforating

verb

1. tr to pierce (a hole) in (something) with a sharp object
2. to cause (something pressurized, esp a tyre) to lose pressure by piercing, or (of a tyre, etc) to be pierced and collapse in this way
3. tr to depreciate (a person's self-esteem, pomposity, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈpuncturer, noun
• ˈpuncturable, adjective

Other Words From

• punctur·a·ble adjective
• puncture·less adjective
• punctur·er noun
• non·punctur·a·ble adjective
• un·punctured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of puncture¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin pūnctūra “a pricking,” from pūnct(us) “pierced” (past participle of pungere “to pierce”; pungent ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of puncture¹

C14: from Latin punctūra, from pungere to prick

Example Sentences

The hood fits over a helmet, and its three-layer construction and 20-denier fabric prevent punctures from sharp equipment or snags.

From Outside Online

A metal stand with rigid edges and sharp surfaces can ding headbands and puncture ear pads.

From Popular-Science

In fact, we have some fossils with puncture marks in the back of the head.

From Nautilus

In that research, tattooed lines in fresh slabs of pig skin were produced by a series of punctures with tools that had tips coated in a homemade ink.

From Science News

It’s not true that plies used in those tires can lead to more punctures.

From Outside Online

She wants to puncture all of the caricatures that blunt the harsh reality of Eichmann.

From The Daily Beast

So any response has to make him hurt, personally; it has to puncture his ego, his pride.

From The Daily Beast

Some of those pieces of metal also exited his body, bringing his puncture total to 20.

From The Daily Beast

If your campaign is built on inevitability, a puncture can take you down.

From The Daily Beast

By presenting us with a workable plan, the president will be able to puncture that fear.

From The Daily Beast

One of these is filled to a depth of about one-fourth inch from a puncture in the finger, and is set aside for a few hours.

From Project Gutenberg

Examination of the fluid obtained by lumbar puncture is of value in diagnosis of certain forms of meningitis.

From Project Gutenberg

Should he snap at the rear wheel and puncture the tire—Matt's thoughts could not carry the danger further.

From Project Gutenberg

Where evidence warrants it corpses are subjected to microscopic and meticulous search to locate a hypodermic puncture.

From Project Gutenberg

Each puncture and tiny grotto was filled with it, and a sloping cap of shimmering snow spread over the summit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flat tire