pus

noun

ˈpəs 

: 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)

Examples of pus in a Sentence

Pus oozed from the cat's injured ear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Inoculation involved taking pus from a pock of someone with a not-very-severe case of smallpox, making a cut in the arm of the person to be inoculated, and rubbing the pus into the cut. —Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026

Drainage, Sometimes With Odor Patients may notice lesions that burst and leak pus or blood. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026

Sure, Ian and Rachel are making eyes at each other, but mostly, there is pus coming out of a dude’s arm. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026

Hilton also had fluid in his lungs drained and another procedure to remove more pus. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin pur-, pus — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pus

• bus
• buss
• cuss
• fuss
• glace
• huss
• plus
• russ
• sus
• suss
• thus
• truss

Kids Definition

pus

noun

ˈpəs 

: thick cloudy usually yellowish white fluid matter formed at a place of inflammation and infection (as an abscess) and containing white blood cells, tissue debris, and germs

Medical Definition

pus

noun

ˈpəs 

: 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)