perforate

verb

per·​fo·​rate ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt How to pronounce perforate (audio)
perforated; perforating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to penetrate a surface
perforate
ˈpər-f(ə-)rət How to pronounce perforate (audio)
-fə-ˌrāt
adjective
perforator noun

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
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.
There are no strings, but the head of the racquet is perforated. Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025 Some pizza pans are perforated with small holes. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025 Nemo’s Roamer perforated the interior foam and added a pad coupling system. Wes Siler, Outside, 27 Aug. 2025 Both sheets would be heavily perforated to cut down on weight. Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perforate

Word History

Etymology

Latin perforatus, past participle of perforare to bore through, from per- through + forare to bore — more at bore

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perforate was in 1538

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perforate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perforate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

perforate

verb
per·​fo·​rate ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt How to pronounce perforate (audio)
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
perforate
ˈpər-f(ə-)rət How to pronounce perforate (audio)
-fə-ˌrāt
adjective
perforator noun

Medical Definition

perforate

verb
per·​fo·​rate ˈpər-fə-ˌrāt How to pronounce perforate (audio)
perforated; perforating

transitive verb

1
: to make a hole through
an ulcer perforates the duodenal wall
2
: to enter or extend through
the nerve perforates the dura mater

intransitive verb

: to penetrate a surface
the wound in the forearm was perforatingThe Journal of the American Medical Association

More from Merriam-Webster on perforate

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