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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
After his leg was amputated, his doctor asked Bittenbender what his goals were. John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024 Brooklynn survives but has her arm amputated as a result, thus reintroducing her as the first character in the Jurassic universe to have a limb difference. Angel Saunders, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 Related article Carpenter ants amputate the legs of their nestmates to save their lives, study says Researchers have now used DNA analysis to uncover just how long ants have been farming fungi, now described in a study published Thursday in the journal Science. Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024 According to the GoFundMe organized by East Valley Firefighters Member Services on behalf of Klenner's wife, Klenner had to have his right leg amputated above the knee and suffered a broken pelvis and rib. Olivia Rose, The Arizona Republic, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amputate 

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 14 Nov. 2024.

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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