1
: a thickening of or a hard thickened area on skin or bark
2
: a mass of exudate and connective tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is converted into bone in healing
3
: soft tissue that forms over a wounded or cut plant surface
callused; callusing; calluses
: to form callus
: to cause callus to form on
Examples of callus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 12 June 2024
When my colostrum and milk came in and my nipples hadn’t yet developed their nursing calluses, this nipple butter was a literal savior.
—Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2024
Often, a keelboat could manage just two crossings a day, for a total of 15 or 20 miles; afterward, their shirts bloodied, their shoulders callused, the men were rewarded with a fillee—a cup of whiskey chased by a cup of river water.
—Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for callus 
Noun
Some politicians and their enablers may not be able to feel shame or guilt through the thick callus of their ambition, but they can be shamed and held publicly accountable for their actions.
—Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 12 June 2024
When my colostrum and milk came in and my nipples hadn’t yet developed their nursing calluses, this nipple butter was a literal savior.
—Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
Those with sweaty pits and callused hands — asphalt rakers, flatbed drivers, farmers, and welders — already know the score.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2024
Often, a keelboat could manage just two crossings a day, for a total of 15 or 20 miles; afterward, their shirts bloodied, their shoulders callused, the men were rewarded with a fillee—a cup of whiskey chased by a cup of river water.
—Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for callus
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'callus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near callus
Cite this Entry
“Callus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/callus. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
callus
1 of 2 noun
cal·lus
ˈkal-əs 
plural calluses
1
: a hard thickened area on skin or bark
2
: a mass of tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is changed into bone in the healing of the break
3
: tissue that forms over an injured plant surface
callus
2 of 2 verb
: to form callus
Medical Definition
callus
noun
cal·lus
ˈkal-əs
1
: a thickening of or a hard thickened area on skin
2
: a mass of exudate and connective tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is converted into bone in the healing of the break
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