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

Mayfield had been sidelined with a contusion on his right throwing hand, leaving all the first-team reps to Kyle Trask. —Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

More news: Exclusive: Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott on How Tampa Bay Can Win it All #Bucs QB Baker Mayfield won’t practice today after suffering a contusion on his throwing hand Thursday, per source. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025

The Mets‘ star right fielder left Tuesday night’s game against the Padres with a right foot contusion in the middle of the fourth inning. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025

And with one out, Jung Hoo Lee laced a two-run triple over the outstretched glove of Teoscar Hernández, who returned to the lineup after missing the last four games with a foot contusion but still seemed hobbled while trying to track the ball down in the right-field gap. —Los Angeles Times, 12 July 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