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noun Uncommon

puncture

PUHNGKT-shuh

Puncture (noun) means a small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre. Example: “We had to stop because of a puncture.”

noun
1
A small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre.
"We had to stop because of a puncture."
verb
1
To pierce something, making a small hole, or to spoil or weaken something suddenly.
"A nail punctured the front tyre."
"The bad news punctured his confidence."

How to use puncture

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small hole from something sharp, or to make one — also used figuratively for deflating confidence or an idea.

Common pairings
puncture a tyre puncture the silence puncture someone's confidence

Word forms

punctured past tense, punctures plural, punctures singular

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We had to stop because of a _____.

Etymology

From Late Latin punctura, from pungere, "to prick."

Origin: Late Latin

Related words

Rhymes for puncture

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Frequently asked questions

What does “puncture” mean?

The word “puncture” means a small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre. In plain terms, a small hole from something sharp, or to make one — also used figuratively for deflating confidence or an idea.

How do you pronounce “puncture”?

“Puncture” is pronounced PUHNGKT-shuh (/ˈpʌŋkt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “puncture” in a sentence?

Here is “puncture” used in a sentence: “We had to stop because of a puncture.”

What part of speech is “puncture”?

Depending on how it is used, “puncture” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “puncture” come from?

The word “puncture” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin punctura, from pungere, "to prick.".

Is “puncture” a common word?

“Puncture” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “puncture” have?

“Puncture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial