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

Wideout Sean Brown suffered a contusion during his catch and run in Saturday night’s loss and is expected to be OK, but didn’t practice on Tuesday, according to Albin. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

The Twins had nothing official to say before the game about the health of Ryan Jeffers, who sustained a head contusion Thursday after getting hit on the head (via his catcher’s gear) twice on foul tips. —David Brown, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025

First baseman Nolan Schanuel, who is out with a left wrist contusion, was set to try take some batting practice against a coach on Friday. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025

And in 2022, Stafford suffered a spinal cord contusion that limited him to playing just nine games. —MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 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