perforation

noun

per·​fo·​ra·​tion ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of perforating

2

a

: a hole or pattern made by or as if by piercing or boring

b

: one of the series of holes (as between rows of postage stamps) in a sheet that serve as an aid in separation

Synonyms of perforation

• puncture

Examples of perforation in a Sentence

an infection that can cause perforation of the intestine

during the lesson the boy absentmindedly made perforations in his paper with his pencil

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike air fryers, which have a basket with perforations that allows air to circulate around the food, a convection oven usually requires placing your food on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan for cooking. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

The blogger was hospitalized in March after taking flu medicine on an empty stomach, which later led him to develop an ulcer, perforation and sepsis. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

The space is also equipped with 18-way adaptive sport seats featuring 14,417 perforations organized to form a coherent visual pattern and a headrest with a special 75th anniversary logo. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026

Michelle Buzz of the American alternative pop duo Haute & Freddy brought a Victorian shoe look to the stage with a calf-height white boot featuring a lace-up shaft, sculptural block heel and perforations. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for perforation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

perforation

noun

per·​fo·​ra·​tion ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of perforating

2

: a hole, pattern, or series of holes made by perforating

Medical Definition

perforation

noun

per·​fo·​ra·​tion ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of perforating

specifically : the penetration of a body part through accident or disease

spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon in the presence of diverticulosis

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

a

: a rupture in a body part caused especially by accident or disease

b

: a natural opening in an organ or body part