perforate

[ verb pur-fuh-reyt; adjective pur-fer-it, -fuh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, per·fo·rat·ed, per·fo·rat·ing.

1. to make a hole or holes through by boring, punching, piercing, or the like.
2. to pierce through or to the interior of; penetrate.

verb (used without object)

, per·fo·rat·ed, per·fo·rat·ing.

1. to make a way through or into something; penetrate.

adjective

1. perforated.

perforate

/ ˈpɜːfərəbəl /

verb

1. to make a hole or holes in (something); penetrate
2. tr to punch rows of holes between (stamps, coupons, etc) for ease of separation

adjective

1. biology
   1. pierced by small holes

      perforate shells

   2. marked with small transparent spots
2. philately another word for perforated

Derived Forms

• perforable, adjective
• ˈperforative, adjective
• ˈperfoˌrator, noun

Other Words From

• perfor·a·ble adjective
• perfo·rative adjective
• perfo·rator noun
• multi·perfo·rate adjective
• non·perfo·rating adjective
• un·perfor·a·ble adjective
• un·perfo·rating adjective
• un·perfo·rative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perforate¹

1530–40; < Latin perforātus, past participle of perforāre to bore ² through; per-

Word History and Origins

Origin of perforate¹

C16: from Latin perforāre, from per- through + forāre to pierce

Example Sentences

After that will come a “giant mattress of gravel” 12 inches deep, Rock said, laced with perforated pipes to collect runoff and direct it into Liberty Canyon Creek.

From Los Angeles Times

In Zachary's case it ended up perforating at 28 weeks which led to an emergency C-section.

From BBC

You can put them in perforated plastic bags to retain moisture but maintain air flow.

From Salon

Dylan was readmitted to hospital on 10 December, and died on 14 December from septic shock, with multi-organ disfunction caused by a perforated appendix.

From BBC

Students smiled and laughed as they perforated a plastic bottle to dribble water onto the plants’ roots.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• puncture