pus

noun

ˈpəs 

: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (such as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria)

Examples of pus in a Sentence

Pus oozed from the cat's injured ear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Roughly 16 million shares changed hands in post-market trading, adding to the 500-pus million shares traded during the day. —Ashley Capoot,cj Haddad,samantha Subin,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 12 June 2026

The wounds had painful, oozing pus and smelled horrible. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026

Drainage, Sometimes With Odor Patients may notice lesions that burst and leak pus or blood. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026

Sure, Ian and Rachel are making eyes at each other, but mostly, there is pus coming out of a dude’s arm. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin pur-, pus — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pus

• bus
• buss
• cuss
• fuss
• glace
• huss
• plus
• russ
• sus
• suss
• thus
• truss

Kids Definition

pus

noun

ˈpəs 

: thick cloudy usually yellowish white fluid matter formed at a place of inflammation and infection (as an abscess) and containing white blood cells, tissue debris, and germs

Medical Definition

pus

noun

ˈpəs 

: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (as bacteria)