amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating

transitive verb

: to remove by or as if by cutting
especially : to cut (a part, such as a limb) from the body
amputation noun

Examples of amputate in a Sentence

His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.
Recent Examples on the Web Doctors in Egypt sought to amputate beneath his right shin. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 In June 2021, half of James’s face, including his nose and his left eye, was destroyed after he was electrocuted on the job as a lineman — and doctors also had to amputate his dominant left arm. Eileen Finan, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023 The condition of her arms then got worse, and on April 6, they were amputated just below the elbows. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 One man, his leg apparently amputated, said goodbye to his loved ones, accepting their kisses on his cheeks and forehead. Lawahez Jabari, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023 By the time doctors evaluated warning signs that the leg had been injured, compartment syndrome had set in and the surgeon had to amputate below the knee to save the patient’s life. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2023 Three people had to have at least one leg amputated, and 11 died. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 2 Sep. 2023 The two women in the photo both had the same kind of bone cancer, but had two different treatments: one patient had a limb amputated, while the other underwent limb-sparing surgery. Wendy Grossman Kantor, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2023 He has been brought to Mechnikov so that doctors can treat complications from a leg that was amputated a few days ago at a hospital closer to the front line. Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amputate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin amputātus, past participle of amputāre "to prune back (a plant), prune away, remove by cutting (unwanted parts or features), cut off (a branch, limb, body part)," from am-, assimilated variant of amb- "about, around" + putāre "to prune, make clean or tidy, scour (wool)" — more at ambient entry 1, putative

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amputate was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near amputate

Cite this Entry

“Amputate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amputate. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

amputate

verb
am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating
: to cut off
especially : to cut off an arm or leg from the body
amputation noun

Medical Definition

amputate

transitive verb
am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating
: to cut (as a limb) from the body
amputation noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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