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

• 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

Crafted out of recyclable and renewable materials, they’re boosted with a Cloudfoam Comfort sockliner, flaunt a suede upper that taps into one of fall 2025’s most desirable materials, and have attractive perforations as part of the design. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025

View gallery - 3 images When an ulcer creates an actual perforation in the digestive tract, surgery is currently the only treatment. —Ben Coxworth october 16, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025

In the ’50s, before digital audio, the audio strips were on the inside of the film strip’s perforations, meaning the image itself was slightly narrower. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2025

Bowel obstruction causes severe pain, fever, and risk of bowel perforation (a hole in the intestines). —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025

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