puncture
1 of 2noun
punc·ture ˈpəŋk-chər 
1
: an act of puncturing
2
: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing
3
: a minute depression
puncture
2 of 2verb
punctured; puncturing ˈpəŋk-chə-riŋ
ˈpəŋk-shriŋ
transitive verb
1
: to pierce with or as if with a pointed instrument or object
2
: to make useless or ineffective as if by a puncture : deflate
intransitive verb
: to become punctured
Synonyms
Noun
- perforation
- pinhole
- pinprick
- prick
- punch
- stab
Verb
- bore
- drill
- hole
- perforate
- pierce
- punch
- riddle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a slight puncture of the skin a leak caused by several small punctures in the rubber gasket Verb a nail punctured the tire I could never puncture my own skin with a hypodermic needle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 It’s made of a durable thermoplastic material that’s PVC- and phthalate-free, as well as abrasion- and puncture-resistant. Kylee Mcguigan, Popular Mechanics, 23 Aug. 2022 Those riding a lot might need to consider a puncture-resistant tire to avoid flats. Olivia Lipski, Good Housekeeping, 15 June 2022 The mountain bike has puncture-resistant tires and has a multi-color LCD lighting display. cleveland, 16 May 2022 With bite marks on both flanks, the skinny gelding also has an open wound on his neck and a puncture wound on his leg that oozes pus. Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Aug. 2022 The author also had a puncture wound in his right eye and two in his chest, the district attorney said Sunday. Aresu Eqbali And David S. Cloud, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2022 Police said the victim sustained a puncture wound and was transported by EMS to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 8 Aug. 2022 The top rib shows a fracture from blunt force impact; the middle rib shows a puncture wound, probably made by a tool; the bottom rib shows chopping marks. Tom Metcalfe, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2022 Dake Kang, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 The fangs still puncture him, and the digestive process begins; by the time their second date is through, the female has finished the job. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 20 July 2022 This should puncture complacency about tech dominance. WSJ, 24 July 2022 Then puncture the wrap so gnats can fly in and get trapped. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 Left untouched, a single corroding ulcer will puncture tanks, seize a motor, even collapse a hull. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 More often than not, their primary purpose is to elicit emotion—to puncture the illusion of the unflappable, stoic athlete. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 6 July 2022 Speakers tried to puncture the theory, held by a minority of bishops, that abuse was just a Western problem. Alain Uaykani, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 Before her transformation, the child was withdrawn, always hiding, even growling at people who tried to puncture her exile by trying to start a conversation—then relief. The New Yorker, 22 June 2022 See More
Noun
The person walking the dog also was injured, suffering a puncture wound to his hand. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 It’s made of a durable thermoplastic material that’s PVC- and phthalate-free, as well as abrasion- and puncture-resistant. Kylee Mcguigan, Popular Mechanics, 23 Aug. 2022 Those riding a lot might need to consider a puncture-resistant tire to avoid flats. Olivia Lipski, Good Housekeeping, 15 June 2022 The mountain bike has puncture-resistant tires and has a multi-color LCD lighting display. cleveland, 16 May 2022 With bite marks on both flanks, the skinny gelding also has an open wound on his neck and a puncture wound on his leg that oozes pus. Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Aug. 2022 The author also had a puncture wound in his right eye and two in his chest, the district attorney said Sunday. Aresu Eqbali And David S. Cloud, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2022 Police said the victim sustained a puncture wound and was transported by EMS to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 8 Aug. 2022 The top rib shows a fracture from blunt force impact; the middle rib shows a puncture wound, probably made by a tool; the bottom rib shows chopping marks. Tom Metcalfe, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2022 Verb
As a result, Beijing finds itself in an awkward spot, as the report threatens to puncture the party line. Dake Kang, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 The fangs still puncture him, and the digestive process begins; by the time their second date is through, the female has finished the job. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 20 July 2022 This should puncture complacency about tech dominance. WSJ, 24 July 2022 Then puncture the wrap so gnats can fly in and get trapped. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 Left untouched, a single corroding ulcer will puncture tanks, seize a motor, even collapse a hull. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 More often than not, their primary purpose is to elicit emotion—to puncture the illusion of the unflappable, stoic athlete. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 6 July 2022 Speakers tried to puncture the theory, held by a minority of bishops, that abuse was just a Western problem. Alain Uaykani, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 Before her transformation, the child was withdrawn, always hiding, even growling at people who tried to puncture her exile by trying to start a conversation—then relief. The New Yorker, 22 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Latin punctura, from punctus, past participle of pungere
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1675, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing puncture
Kids Definition
puncture 1 of 2
noun
punc·ture ˈpəŋk-chər
1
: an act of piercing with something pointed
2
: a hole or wound made by piercing with something pointed
puncture
2 of 2verb
punctured; puncturing
1
: to pierce with something pointed
2
: to weaken or damage as if by piercing a hole in
My response punctured his argument.
Medical Definition
puncture 1 of 2
noun
punc·ture ˈpəŋ(k)-chər
1
: an act of puncturing
2
: a hole, wound, or perforation made by puncturing
puncture
2 of 2verb
punctured; puncturing ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-riŋ, ˈpəŋ(k)-shriŋ
transitive verb
: to pierce with or as if with a pointed instrument or object
puncture the skin with a needle
intransitive verb
: to become punctured
punctures 1 of 2
noun
as in punches
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument a leak caused by several small punctures in the rubber gasket Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- punches
- tears
- pricks
- perforations
- stabs
- pinholes
- slits
- pinpricks
- cuts
- grooves
- rips
- gouges
- ruptures
- lacerations
- breaks
- hollows
- gashes
- slashes
- incisions
- notches
- rents
punctures
2 of 2verb
1
as in pierces
to make a hole or series of holes in a nail punctured the tire Synonyms & Similar Words
- pierces
- holes
- drills
- punches
- pokes
- perforates
- bores
- riddles
- cuts
- taps
- pricks
- prickles
- ruptures
- gouges
- penetrates
- gashes
- breaks
- grooves
- slashes
- hollows
- splits
- broaches
- slits
- excavates
- notches
- rends
- burrows (into)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- seals
- fills
- plugs
- patches
2
as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object I could never puncture my own skin with a hypodermic needle Synonyms & Similar Words
- stabs
- pierces
- jabs
- picks
- sticks
- pecks
- lances
- spikes
- spits
- pokes
- skewers
- gores
- slices
- spears
- impales
- harpoons
- punches
- runs through
- pinks
- perforates
- transfixes
- pricks
- pinpricks
- cuts
- transpierces
- quills
- spindles
- riddles
- thrusts
- prongs
- bayonets
- gimlets
- pikes
- poniards
- knifes
- dirks