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

What patients experience—painful nodules, swelling, abscesses and drainage—is the visible endpoint of that internal cascade. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026

The abscess, once drained, was found to have a staph infection. —David J. Neal may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

While Lindsay and Josh spiral down the dark abscesses of their own selfishness, the chairwoman embarks on her own damage control. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026

Another was a 2-year-old (also not vaccinated), who had brain abscesses and seizures and has had lasting effects. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026

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