puncture

1 of 2

noun

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 2

verb

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

• prick
• punch
• tear
• perforation
• slit
• stab
• pinhole

Verb

• pierce
• drill
• punch
• poke

Examples of puncture in a Sentence

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

Noun

Kong said this soft approach helps address risks such as ulcers, puncture injuries, and inflammation, which are often linked to rigid devices inside the body. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025

The victim suffered severe puncture wounds, according to the order, and likely would have suffered far greater injuries if not for a bystander who shot the dog dead. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

Verb

Drones, a swift water team, cadaver dogs and GoPros punctured the peace in the tranquil and majestic mountains and triggered a closure of the Enchantments, an area popular for backcountry hiking and camping, as law enforcement scoured the forest for any signs of the bearded Army veteran. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025

The bullet missed Emenheiser and punctured a hot water heater. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025

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

• lumbar puncture
• puncture vine

Rhymes for puncture

• juncture
• acupuncture
• venipuncture
• conjuncture
• disjuncture

Kids Definition

puncture

1 of 2 noun

punc·​ture ˈpəŋ(k)-chər 

1

: the act of puncturing

2

: a hole or wound made by puncturing

a slight puncture of the skin

a tire puncture

puncture

2 of 2 verb

punctured; puncturing ˈpəŋ(k)-chə-riŋ 

ˈpəŋ(k)-shriŋ

1

: to make a hole with a point

a nail punctured the tire

2

: to suffer a puncture of

punctured the tire on a nail

3

: to become punctured

worn tires puncture easily

4

: to make useless or ridiculous as if by a puncture

puncture an 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 2 verb

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