: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (such as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria)
Examples of pus in a Sentence
Pus oozed from the cat's injured ear.
Recent Examples on the Web
The infection causes the air sacs to fill with pus, making breathing hard.
—
Amanda MacMillan, Health, 3 May 2024
Within days, the gash ran with pus and began to smell.
—Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pus 
Amanda MacMillan, Health, 3 May 2024
Within days, the gash ran with pus and began to smell.
—Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pus
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Pus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pus. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pus
noun
: thick cloudy usually yellowish white fluid matter formed at a place of inflammation and infection (as an abscess) and containing white blood cells, tissue debris, and germs
Medical Definition
pus
noun
: a thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed as part of an inflammatory response typically associated with an infection and is composed of exudate chiefly containing dead white blood cells (as neutrophils), tissue debris, and pathogenic microorganisms (as bacteria)
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