perforation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “perforation” mean?
A small hole or a line of small holes made through something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small hole or a line of small holes made through something.
The act or process of making a hole or series of holes; the arrangement or pattern of holes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and pronunciation follow regional norms.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in technical, medical, and industrial contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “perforation” in a Sentence
[N of N] (perforation of the bowel)[ADJ + N] (tiny perforation)[V + N] (cause a perforation)[N + V] (perforation occurred)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “perforation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to perforate the document for the binding.
- The machine perforates sheets at high speed.
American English
- The coupon must be perforated to be valid.
- They perforated the metal for better airflow.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form for 'perforation'. The related verb form 'perforatively' is extremely rare and not recommended.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form for 'perforation'. The related verb form 'perforatively' is extremely rare and not recommended.]
adjective
British English
- The perforated edge allows for easy tearing.
- She used perforated baking paper.
American English
- He inserted a perforated drainage tube.
- The design featured a perforated steel screen.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to holes in documents (e.g., tickets, vouchers) for easy separation or validation.
Academic
Used in medical literature (e.g., gastrointestinal perforation), geology, and material science.
Everyday
Most commonly encountered on sheets of stamps or tear-off sections of paper.
Technical
Precise holes in materials for filtration, ventilation, or as part of a manufacturing process.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “perforation”
- Confusing 'perforation' (the hole/pattern) with 'perforating' (the act). Using it as a verb (the verb is 'perforate'). Misspelling as 'perforaction' or 'perforition'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is common in technical, medical, and industrial contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation outside specific situations (like stamps or tickets).
A 'perforation' typically implies a small, often deliberate and regular hole, especially one in a series. A 'hole' is a more general term.
No, 'perforation' is a noun. The verb form is 'to perforate'.
The meaning and usage are identical. Differences are only in pronunciation and potential spelling in derived forms (e.g., UK 'perforated', US 'perforated' - same spelling).
A small hole or a line of small holes made through something.
Perforation is usually formal/technical in register.
Perforation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɜː.fərˈeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɝː.fɚˈeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly based on 'perforation']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PERFORated stamp sheet: you PER-FORCE it apart along the PERFORATION line.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LINE OF WEAKNESS (allowing controlled separation); A BREACH IN A BARRIER (in medical contexts).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'perforation' LEAST likely to be used?