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

So with fewer of them in the mix, your stomach can get irritated, causing heartburn-like pain or discomfort in the short-term and upping your risk for a stomach ulcer over time. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 2025

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 9 May 2025

Curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may effectively counter gastritis and gastric or duodenal ulcers associated with infections caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025

Sue said the pressure ulcer was what led to the sepsis. —Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 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