contusion

noun

con·​tu·​sion kən-ˈtü-zhən 

-ˈtyü-

: injury to tissue usually without laceration : bruise sense 1a

contuse

kən-ˈtüz 

-ˈtyüz

transitive verb

Synonyms

• bruise

Examples of contusion in a Sentence

He suffered multiple contusions of the leg.

suffered multiple contusions as a result of a car accident

Recent Examples on the Web

Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. is dealing with a left forearm contusion. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2025

The Celtics listed Jaylen Brown (right knee posterior impingement), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Jayson Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) and Derrick White (left knee contusion) as questionable for Friday’s game in Miami. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025

The other allegedly had something scraped across her neck, which left a mark as well as bruising and contusions. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025

The ones officially detailed by the team: left ankle impingement and a right elbow contusion. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conteschown, from Latin contusion-, contusio, from contundere to pound, bruise, from com- + tundere to beat; akin to Goth stautan to strike, Sanskrit tudati he pushes

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion
• infusion

Kids Definition

contusion

noun

con·​tus·​ion

kən-ˈt(y)ü-zhən

: an injury to tissue that usually does not break the skin : bruise

contuse

-ˈt(y)üz

verb

Medical Definition

contusion

noun

con·​tu·​sion kən-ˈt(y)ü-zhən 

: injury to tissue usually without laceration : bruise sense 1

contuse

-ˈt(y)üz 

transitive verb

contused; contusing