puncture

Etymology

From Late Latin punctūra.

noun

1. The act or an instance of puncturing.
2. A hole, cut, or tear created by a sharp object.
   There were two small punctures in his arm where the snake's fangs had pierced the skin.
3. (specifically) A hole in a vehicle's tyre, causing the tyre to deflate.
   On the way back we got a puncture, and we were stuck at the roadside for three hours until help arrived.
   Dieter's car had suffered a puncture on the RN3 road between Paris and Meaux. A bent nail was stuck in the tire. 2001, Ken Follett, Jackdaws, Dutton, page 340
   A tough test for even the strongest climber, it was new to the Tour de France this year, but its debut will be remembered for the wrong reasons after one of those spectators scattered carpet tacks on the road and induced around 30 punctures among the group of riders including Bradley Wiggins, the Tour's overall leader, and his chief rivals. July 15 2012, Richard Williams, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track, Guardian Unlimited

verb

1. To pierce; to break through; to tear a hole.
   The needle punctured the balloon instantly.