perforate
verb
per·fo·rate
ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt 
perforated; perforating
1
: to make a hole through
especially
: to make a line of holes in to facilitate separation
2
: to pass through or into by or as if by making a hole
: to penetrate a surface
Examples of perforate in a Sentence
Cover the bowl with aluminum foil, and then use a fork to perforate the foil.
he perforated the sheet with his pencil and put it in his binder
Recent Examples on the Web
The 26-page report describes two stab wounds — one to the right abdomen that perforated the liver and another to the left chest that penetrated an intercostal space.
—
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Some liners are solid and will catch more grease, while others are perforated to allow more air flow.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
The next day, while in a dissociative episode, Dunham put a large Q-tip in her ear and perforated her eardrum.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Putting a garlic clove in the ear is also not scientifically proven and can cause similar problems, including ear infections, skin irritation and hearing damage if the ear is perforated.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perforate
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Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Some liners are solid and will catch more grease, while others are perforated to allow more air flow.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
The next day, while in a dissociative episode, Dunham put a large Q-tip in her ear and perforated her eardrum.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Putting a garlic clove in the ear is also not scientifically proven and can cause similar problems, including ear infections, skin irritation and hearing damage if the ear is perforated.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perforate
Cite this Entry
“Perforate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perforate. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perforate
verb
per·fo·rate
ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt
perforated; perforating
: to make a hole or series of holes through
especially
: to make a line of holes to make tearing easy and neat
sheets of stamps are perforated
Medical Definition
perforate
verb
per·fo·rate
ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt
perforated; perforating
1
: to make a hole through
an ulcer perforates the duodenal wall
2
: to enter or extend through
the nerve perforates the dura mater
: to penetrate a surface
the wound in the forearm was perforating—The Journal of the American Medical Association
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