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

These include claims that customers were left with uneven results, saw no results at all, or suffered prolonged bruising, swelling, infections, abscesses and even necrosis (the death of body tissue). —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

Holly Bennett doesn't remember the ambulance that rushed her to a Colorado hospital in septic shock, or the MRI that showed her back was riddled with abscesses, or the emergency surgery that saved her life. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Investigators documented animals with health concerns including overgrown hooves, draining abscesses and limb deformities. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

So this particular Shire has an abscess in his hoof. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 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