concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkə-shən How to pronounce concussion (audio)
1
a
: a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow
especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function
The football player suffered a concussion.
b
: a hard blow or collision
2
: agitation, shaking
The concussion from the explosion was felt 12 miles away.
concussive adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for concussion

impact, collision, shock, concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things.

impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Examples of concussion in a Sentence

She suffered a severe concussion after falling on the ice. He went to hospital with concussion.
Recent Examples on the Web Quarterback Derek Carr remains out with an oblique injury, and top receiver Chris Olave sustained a concussion in their most recent loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024 Denver All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II suffered a concussion last week and is out. Jack Magruder, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 For the Saints, wide receivers Rasheed Shaheed (knee) and Chris Olave (concussion) have been ruled out of Week 7’s contest. Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2024 Tagovailoa has had multiple concussions in his NFL career, with the most recent coming after the Dolphins QB dove for a first down and took a hit from Bills safety Damar Hamlin in Week 2. Ben Morse, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for concussion 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concussion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English concussioun, from Latin concussion-, concussio, from concutere to shake violently, from com- + quatere to shake

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of concussion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near concussion

Cite this Entry

“Concussion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concussion. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

concussion

noun
con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkəsh-ən How to pronounce concussion (audio)
1
: a violent uneven motion
2
: a hard blow or collision
3
: bodily injury especially of the brain resulting from a sudden sharp jar (as from a blow)
concussive adjective

Medical Definition

concussion

noun
con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkəsh-ən How to pronounce concussion (audio)
1
: a hard blow or collision
2
: a condition resulting from the stunning, damaging, or shattering effects of a hard blow
especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function and sometimes marked by permanent damage
concussive adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on concussion

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