ulcer

noun

ul·​cer ˈəl-sər 

1

: a break in skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissue, and often pus

2

: something that festers and corrupts like an open sore

ulcer verb

Examples of ulcer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The parents took him to the emergency room, and doctors eventually found a stomach ulcer. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Medications can produce rectal discharge by changing the physiology of your GI tract, causing tissue damage such as ulcers, changing your intestinal microbiota, or through unknown means. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024

Cutler's personal health issues, including an ulcer, chronic inflammation, and fatigue, prompted her to explore nutrition and lifestyle changes. —Hilary Tetenabum, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024

It’s approved by the FDA to treat GERD, duodenal ulcers, and conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. —Ashley Wong, Health, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ulcer-, ulcus; akin to Greek helkos wound

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ulcer

• anti-ulcer
• decubitus ulcer
• gastric ulcer
• mouth ulcer
• peptic ulcer
• rodent ulcer

Kids Definition

ulcer

noun

ul·​cer ˈəl-sər 

: a slow-healing open sore in which tissue breaks down

Medical Definition

ulcer

1 of 2 noun

ul·​cer ˈəl-sər 

: a break in skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissue, and often pus

a stomach ulcer

ulcer

2 of 2 verb

ulcered; ulcering ˈəls-(ə-)riŋ 

: ulcerate