pus

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noun \ˈpəs\

Definition of pus

: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (such as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria)

See pus defined for English-language learners

See pus defined for kids

Examples of pus in a Sentence

Pus oozed from the cat's injured ear.

Recent Examples of pus from the Web

However, the recipient has to develop a rash, and the rash has to turn pustular, and then the other person has to have contact with the pus.

— john ingold, The Denver Post, "Fourteen Colorado schools have 100 percent vaccination rates. See if your child’s school is one of them.," 14 June 2017
The nearly 20-acre facility matches the best college golf complexes in the country, with more than 17,000 square feet of bent grass greens and 55,000 square feet of turf in a short-game area, pus 100,000 square feet in the driving range tee area.

— mark purdy, The Mercury News, "Purdy: A little bit of Augusta National at . . . San Jose State? So says Roger Maltbie," 13 June 2017
During an exploratory procedure, doctors found 1.5 liters of infected pus teeming with streptococcal bacteria in Breen's stomach.

— maria carter, Woman's Day, "8 Things You Need to Know About Strep Throat," 31 May 2017
The germs proliferate, white blood cells amass, pus accumulates, and a dental abscess is born.

— adam gaffney, New Republic, "The Devastating Effects of Dental Inequality in America," 25 May 2017
Emberton writes, soldiers would try to use the pus and scabs of their sick comrades to self-inoculate.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Fearing a Smallpox Epidemic, Civil War Troops Tried to Self-Vaccinate," 1 May 2017
So the pitcher is left with a hole in his skin next to his nail, and the hole exudes pus and blood.

— houston mitchell, latimes.com, "Dodgers Dugout: A closer look at Rich Hill and his blisters," 10 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pus

Latin pur-, pus — more at foul

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

PUS Defined for English Language Learners

pus

play

noun

Definition of pus for English Language Learners

medical : a thick, yellowish substance that is produced when a part of the body or a wound becomes infected

PUS Defined for Kids

pus

play

noun \ˈpəs\

Definition of pus for Students

: a thick yellowish substance that is produced when a part of the body or a wound becomes infected

Medical Dictionary

pus

play

noun \ˈpəs\

Medical Definition of pus

: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (as bacteria)