abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

a

: a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

b

: irritation

2

: an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms of abrasion

• bruise

Examples of abrasion in a Sentence

abrasion of rocks by wind and water

walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

Recent Examples on the Web

The technology is also moving into textiles and wearables, where self-repairing fabrics can mend small rips or abrasions, extending product life and reducing waste. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026

The girl was taken to Children’s Hospital with injuries to her extremities and abrasions to her head. —Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026

In his report, the medical examiner raised the possibility that Bullock had suffered injuries from the altercation with Chloe and Tomlyn, noting abrasions and lacerations on Bullock’s head along with the skull fractures. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026

One of the juvenile suspects was taken to the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital with an abrasion to his hand, police said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for abrasion

• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• evasion
• invasion
• occasion
• persuasion
• asian
• suasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

: a rubbing, grinding, or wearing away by friction

2

: a place where the surface has been rubbed or scraped off

an abrasion on her knee

Medical Definition

abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

: wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

2

a

: the rubbing or scraping of the surface layer of cells or tissue from an area of the skin or mucous membrane

also : a place so abraded

b

: the mechanical wearing away of the tooth surfaces by chewing