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

• ˈpuncturable, adjective
• ˈpuncturer, noun

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

Ms Hogan, then 19, suffered a punctured lung, spinal fracture and a bleed on the brain, leaving her unable to walk or talk.

From BBC

Tate McDermott’s dart around the fringes punctured the hosts close in for Australia’s second.

From BBC

He was left with a broken jaw, missing teeth, 15 small punctures and two deep lacerations on his cheek and neck, which the 33-year-old said could scar.

From BBC

We do not know what 2025 will bring and forecasts of doom could well be punctured by the mere dismal reality of gross incompetence; the future may just be dumb.

From Salon

“Spike strips were utilized to puncture the vehicle’s tires which caused it to become inoperable and yield” near the 405 Freeway and Westminster Avenue, police said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flat tire