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 ulcers are typically small and painful and can affect eating and drinking, according to health experts at the Mayo and Cleveland clinics. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 July 2025

In the first trimester, Bom, 25, noticed multiple white patches and an ulcer on the back of her tongue. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025

Triphala has historically been used to treat gut issues like ulcers, stomach pain, constipation, gas, and colon inflammation (colitis).31 More research is needed to understand the best triphala dose for digestion and gut health. —Health, 3 July 2025

The ulcers in these cases tend to start as red blisters and evolve to frank ulcers. —ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025

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