perforation

 
Pronunciation: /ˌpəːfəˈreɪʃn/

noun

  • a hole made by boring or piercing: the perforations allow water to enter the well
  • a small hole or row of small holes punched in a sheet of paper, e.g. of postage stamps, so that a part can be torn off easily: memos are produced in a continuous strip divided by perforations so that the forms can be detached
  • [mass noun] the action or state of perforating or being perforated: there was evidence of intestinal perforation

Origin:

late Middle English: from medieval Latin perforatio(n-), from the verb perforare (see perforate)