: 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 When someone contracts pneumonia, the alveoli of their lungs fill up with fluid, pus or blood. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024 Discard any tomatoes that have a sour smell or pus along the crack. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2023 If not treated promptly, the pockets of pus in and around the brain can lead to rapid deterioration and permanent brain damage, causing severe neurological complications, such as seizures and difficulty with movement, speech, and cognition. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 1 June 2023 In the days that followed, his palms swelled, dripping with pus and burning with infection. Keren Blankfeld, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 The practice of variolation (inoculating an uninfected person with pus from an infected person) was commonly used during the 18th century to prevent bacterial infections like smallpox, and it was also sometimes used for preventing diseases during outbreaks, such as typhoid, plague, and cholera. Pat Bass, Md, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2024 The next time you’re tempted to poke at that little ball of pus, try using an acne patch or spot treating it with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid instead, both experts suggest. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Jan. 2024 The nodules can be extremely painful and often rupture, forming tunnels under the skin, abscesses that leak blood and pus, and scars. Tamekia Reece, SELF, 29 Nov. 2023 At this point, gums will begin to bleed if not already and pus could be apparent. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin pur-, pus — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pus was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pus

Cite this Entry

“Pus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pus

noun
: 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
: 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)

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