abscess

noun

ab·​scess ˈab-ˌses 

plural abscesses ˈab-ˌse-səz 

-ˌsēz;

-sə-səz 

: a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

abscessed

ˈab-ˌsest 

adjective

an abscessed tooth [=an infected tooth that has caused an abscess in the gum]

Examples of abscess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Local infection: About 35% of ear piercings become infected, leading to redness, pain, swelling, and abscesses (a collection of pus under the skin). —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025

There are many causes of jaw pain, ranging from mild to severe, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, dental abscesses, heart disease, and heart attacks. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2025

Dental issues compound over time; cavities can become infections, abscesses, even life-threatening conditions if left to fester. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025

Previous research suggests that Black people with IBD are more likely to experience a delay in diagnosis and IBD complications such as fistulas and abscesses, and are less likely to be included in clinical trials. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin abscessus "departure, withdrawal, congestion, abscess," from abscēdere "to go away, withdraw, form an abscess" (from abs-, variant of ab- ab- before c- and t- + cēdere "to go, withdraw, move away") + -tus, suffix of verbal nouns — more at cede

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for abscess

• abbess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess
• express

Kids Definition

abscess

noun

ab·​scess ˈab-ˌses 

: a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue at some point in the body

abscessed

-ˌsest 

adjective

Medical Definition

abscess

noun

ab·​scess ˈab-ˌses 

plural abscesses ˈab-səs-ˌēz  -ˌses- 

-əz

: a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

abscessed

-ˌsest 

adjective