perforation

noun

per·​fo·​ra·​tion ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of perforating

2

a

: a hole or pattern made by or as if by piercing or boring

b

: one of the series of holes (as between rows of postage stamps) in a sheet that serve as an aid in separation

Synonyms

• pinhole
• pinprick
• prick
• punch
• puncture
• stab

Examples of perforation in a Sentence

an infection that can cause perforation of the intestine

during the lesson the boy absentmindedly made perforations in his paper with his pencil

Recent Examples on the Web

The leather seats also features a pattern made from 107,000 perforations that is inspired by the clouds in the sky above the marque’s Goodwood headquarters. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 May 2024

First, a 90-gallon steel bucket with sieve-like perforations was lowered into one of the tanks on a cable. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

perforation

noun

per·​fo·​ra·​tion ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of perforating

2

: a hole, pattern, or series of holes made by perforating

Medical Definition

perforation

noun

per·​fo·​ra·​tion ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of perforating

specifically : the penetration of a body part through accident or disease

spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon in the presence of diverticulosis

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

a

: a rupture in a body part caused especially by accident or disease

b

: a natural opening in an organ or body part