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

First baseman Nolan Schanuel (wrist contusion) said hitting flips went well, so he’s now scheduled to head to Arizona for the weekend to ramp up his activity. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

Just a contusion, but there is some swelling in there for sure but not a big deal. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

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

Tovar’s missed 63 games due to two injuries (left hip contusion and left oblique strain) after missing only 14 games across 2023 and ’24. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 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