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

Stomach ulcers were attributed to stress and personality until Helicobacter pylori was identified in 1982. — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Hilton battled sepsis and other complications after taking flu medication that caused a perforated ulcer. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

Those symptoms vary depending on where and how the infection is, but typical symptoms include skin - or other - ulcers and swollen lymph nodes. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Have a history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding. — Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for ulcer

• pulser

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