ab·la·tive
ˈa-blə-tiv 
: of, relating to, or being a grammatical case (see case entry 1 sense 3a) that typically marks a person, place, or thing from which someone or something else is separated or the source from which someone or something comes, and is also frequently used to indicate the cause of an event or condition or the instrument by which an action is accomplished see also ablative absolute
ablative
noun
ab·la·tive
a-ˈblā-tiv
ablatively
adverb
Examples of ablative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
About ten years ago, the Brown team observed the potential harms of treatment firsthand when a handful of patients developed brain cysts after ablative treatment using gamma knife radiation.
—Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
One such method that falls under that category and aligns with Davidson's graphic description is ablative lasers, defined by the FDA as lasers that burn off the top layer of skin.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The Right Laser Depends on Your Scarring Type There are two major types of laser treatments: ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing, which can be done with a fractionated or non-fractionated approach.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Results from ablative lasers can take up to two weeks.
—Laura Schober, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
This technique relies on laser wavelengths between 1,440 and 1,550 nm and is the preferred option for shallow scars compared to ablative techniques.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Ahead of the demo, SpaceX engineers reworked the rocket's heatshield, replacing the entire thermal protection system with newer tiles and a backup ablative layer.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative and are used primarily for cosmetic purposes such as treating age spots.7
What Is Skin Rejuvenation?
—Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
In Medieval Latin, folio (ablative of folium) was used to refer to a leaf of paper.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
About ten years ago, the Brown team observed the potential harms of treatment firsthand when a handful of patients developed brain cysts after ablative treatment using gamma knife radiation.
—Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
One such method that falls under that category and aligns with Davidson's graphic description is ablative lasers, defined by the FDA as lasers that burn off the top layer of skin.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The Right Laser Depends on Your Scarring Type There are two major types of laser treatments: ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing, which can be done with a fractionated or non-fractionated approach.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Results from ablative lasers can take up to two weeks.
—Laura Schober, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
This technique relies on laser wavelengths between 1,440 and 1,550 nm and is the preferred option for shallow scars compared to ablative techniques.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Ahead of the demo, SpaceX engineers reworked the rocket's heatshield, replacing the entire thermal protection system with newer tiles and a backup ablative layer.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative and are used primarily for cosmetic purposes such as treating age spots.7
What Is Skin Rejuvenation?
—Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ablative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ablative. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ablative
adjective
ab·la·tive
a-ˈblā-tiv, ə-
: relating to or involving surgical ablation
ablative treatment
ablative techniques
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share