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

“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

By the end of the inning, they had scored five runs to tie the game and puncture Cole’s veneer of invulnerability.

From Los Angeles Times

Sisters puncture the purity and singularity that American culture likes to see in its heroes.

From Los Angeles Times

It includes daily oral chemotherapy, monthly chemotherapy through her portacath - a small device that's under the skin to give long term access to a vein - and a lumbar puncture every three months.

From BBC

The victim, aged 14, sustained multiple puncture wounds caused by an unknown weapon in the attack in Norris Green Park in Liverpool on Tuesday.

From BBC

Related Words

• flat tire