suppurate

verb

sup·​pu·​rate ˈsə-pyə-ˌrāt How to pronounce suppurate (audio)
suppurated; suppurating

intransitive verb

: to form or discharge pus
suppuration
ˌsə-pyə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce suppurate (audio)
noun
suppurative
ˈsə-pyə-rə-tiv How to pronounce suppurate (audio)
-ˌrā-;
ˈsə-prə-tiv
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin suppuratus, past participle of suppurare, from sub- + pur-, pus pus — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppurate was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near suppurate

suppressor T cell

suppurate

supputation

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Suppurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppurate. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

suppurate

verb
sup·​pu·​rate ˈsəp-yə-ˌrāt How to pronounce suppurate (audio)
suppurated; suppurating
: to form or give off pus
suppuration
ˌsəp-yə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce suppurate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

suppurate

intransitive verb
sup·​pu·​rate ˈsəp-yə-ˌrāt How to pronounce suppurate (audio)
suppurated; suppurating
: to form or discharge pus
a suppurating wound

More from Merriam-Webster on suppurate

Britannica English: Translation of suppurate for Arabic Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word Games

a group of lemurs
Name That Animal: Volume 2 Can you tell a meerkat from a wombat?
hedgehog reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Not a quiz for the pusillanimous
Spell It
Spell It Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get...
winning words from the national spelling bee logo
Spelling Bee Quiz Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...