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

The ganglion is contained in a thick bony wall perforated by tiny pores that allow nerve fibers to pass through.

From Popular-Science

To create the faux nighttime sky, it takes two craftspeople up to 17 hours to perforate 1,900 holes.

From Washington Blade

They are also designed with three-hole punches on the left side, so if you use a binder, you can easily add one to it, or tear off individual perforated, hole-punched pages when needed.

From Popular-Science

This is a great jersey if you pedal in hot climates—the Canyon is perforated and has larger holes on the back and under the arms for maximum breathability.

From Outside Online

The stars in this specimen are more numerous, and do not perforate.

From Project Gutenberg

The remainder of the thoracic surface is covered with a tough breast-plate which the sting would perhaps fail to perforate.

From Project Gutenberg

The 2nd or 1851 issue, as it is called in the circular, actually consisted of two series, the imperforate and perforate.

From Project Gutenberg

When the hypha of a uredine attacks a cell it is unable to perforate it with its whole diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

In this manner the embryos perforate the walls of the digestive tube.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• puncture