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

They’re not bothered by heart attacks or ulcers. —Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026

Those findings also found a significant risk of bleeding in the brain or skull after head injuries, as well as a risk of intestinal ulcers. —Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026

In his 1971 book, Sight Restoration After Long-Term Blindness, ophthalmologist Alberto Valvo provides one such example of a man who was blind for 34 years following a case of corneal ulcers at the age of eight months. —Sachin Rawat, Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026

Latz put together a 20-page presentation for the NCAA that detailed the lingering post-surgery issues along with the ulcer and IBS. —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 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