amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt 

amputated; amputating

transitive verb

: to remove by or as if by cutting

especially : to cut (a part, such as a limb) from the body

amputation

ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Examples of amputate in a Sentence

His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.

Recent Examples on the Web

So, they couldn't be left in her body, so they were amputated. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024

According to the report, the actor was putting groceries into his car when a drunk driver slammed into him from behind, leading to damage so severe both legs needed to be amputated. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2024

After his leg was amputated, his doctor asked Bittenbender what his goals were. —John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024

Brooklynn survives but has her arm amputated as a result, thus reintroducing her as the first character in the Jurassic universe to have a limb difference. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin amputātus, past participle of amputāre "to prune back (a plant), prune away, remove by cutting (unwanted parts or features), cut off (a branch, limb, body part)," from am-, assimilated variant of amb- "about, around" + putāre "to prune, make clean or tidy, scour (wool)" — more at ambient entry 1, putative

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt 

amputated; amputating

: to cut off

especially : to cut off an arm or leg from the body

amputation

ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

amputate

transitive verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt 

amputated; amputating

: to cut (as a limb) from the body

amputation

ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

noun