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

Synonyms

• pinhole
• pinprick
• prick
• punch
• puncture
• stab

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

But also that doesn’t have perforation or breathability. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2024

The seats are beautiful too with patterns and panels and perforations for the heating and cooling. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

Also beware of perforations in the upper designed to make the boots more breathable—those holes could be a liability in deep water or snow. —Svati Kirsten Narula, Outside Online, 25 Oct. 2024

This consists of double-sided blowers, airflow channels, and thousands of perforations on the back and bottom of the machine's case. —Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

2

a

: a rupture in a body part caused especially by accident or disease

b

: a natural opening in an organ or body part