1. To use standard marks in writing, such as colons, commas, question marks, italics, and periods when composing sentences: There are times when the way a person punctuates his or her sentences can result in significant differences in their meanings, especially if they are not done properly.
2. To interrupt or to emphasize something every so often when speaking: Jasper would punctuate his remarks by making a point when he was talking and by using gestures.

A surgical technique in which a fine probe bearing a hot agent is used to heat deep, small areas: Nancy was told that a punctuate cauterization was to be performed to relieve her of the painful issue in her body.