amputate

verb

am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
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 noun

Examples of amputate in a Sentence

His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
George Curlee, 50, recently had his toe amputated because of complications from diabetes. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 My children Mohammad and Batool, and my sister Banan, whose leg was amputated after the airstrike, were miraculously able to leave Gaza to receive medical treatment abroad. Ahmed Abu Artema, TIME, 12 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for amputate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of amputate was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near amputate

Cite this Entry

“Amputate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amputate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

amputate

verb
am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating
: to cut off
especially : to cut off an arm or leg from the body
amputation noun

Medical Definition

amputate

transitive verb
am·​pu·​tate ˈam-pyə-ˌtāt How to pronounce amputate (audio)
amputated; amputating
: to cut (as a limb) from the body
amputation noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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