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

Left untreated, infection can lead to abscesses, bone loss or even facial swelling. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025

Cerebellar abscesses always ended in death. —Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025

Once the abscess of pus had been removed without a trace, the doctor carved out the flesh around the bottle using a knife, spread the wound open, and pulled the bottle out. —Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025

Severe cases can lead to abscesses, tears in the colon and even emergency surgery. —New Atlas, 1 July 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