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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the meantime, the wound must be treated; in severe cases, the limb must be amputated. David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 The goal is to boost the value of the high-growth streaming and studio biz by amputating the declining TV arm that has been hurt by the shrinking pay-TV universe, while freeing up both companies to seek potentially value-accretive M&A deals. Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 June 2025 An adolescent loggerhead sea turtle named Dilly Dally crawled into the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday morning, months after having a front flipper amputated at a Florida turtle hospital. CBS News, 5 June 2025 The crash caused his right leg to be amputated above the knee. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amputate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amputate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on amputate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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