perforation
noun
per·fo·ra·tion
ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən 
1
: the act or process of perforating
2
a
: a hole or pattern made by or as if by piercing or boring
b
: one of the series of holes (as between rows of postage stamps) in a sheet that serve as an aid in separation
Examples of perforation in a Sentence
an infection that can cause perforation of the intestine
during the lesson the boy absentmindedly made perforations in his paper with his pencil
Recent Examples on the Web
However, 5-10% of people develop complications from the procedure, such as infection of the gallbladder or bile ducts, excessive bleeding, perforation (injury) to the bile ducts, pancreas, duodenum, and pancreatitis.
—
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Nov. 2024
In this case, the doctors theorize that the tick may have bitten the woman's eardrum, creating a tiny tear or perforation that allowed the saliva enzymes to inflame the tissue.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Though rare, copper IUDs may cause more serious side effects, such as uterine perforation and pelvic inflammatory disease.3
1.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 11 Dec. 2024
Small bowel perforations can sometimes heal without surgery.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perforation 
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Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Nov. 2024
In this case, the doctors theorize that the tick may have bitten the woman's eardrum, creating a tiny tear or perforation that allowed the saliva enzymes to inflame the tissue.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Though rare, copper IUDs may cause more serious side effects, such as uterine perforation and pelvic inflammatory disease.3
1.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 11 Dec. 2024
Small bowel perforations can sometimes heal without surgery.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perforation
Dictionary Entries Near perforation
Cite this Entry
“Perforation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perforation. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perforation
noun
per·fo·ra·tion
ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act or process of perforating
2
: a hole, pattern, or series of holes made by perforating
Medical Definition
perforation
noun
per·fo·ra·tion
ˌpər-fə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act or process of perforating
specifically
: the penetration of a body part through accident or disease
spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon in the presence of diverticulosis —The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association 2
a
: a rupture in a body part caused especially by accident or disease
b
: a natural opening in an organ or body part
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