blunt trauma

noun

: a usually serious injury caused by a blunt object or surface
died of blunt trauma to the head

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Mixed martial arts fighter Sam Vasquez is knocked out in the third round of a regulated fight in Houston, later dying of a subdural hemorrhage due to blunt trauma of the head. John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 Nov. 2014 Near the tan-colored complex’s dumpsters, deputies found the body of a Latina who had died from blunt trauma and stab wounds, Westphal said. Matthew Ormseth Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2021 While rare, commotio cordis is triggered by blunt trauma to the chest and causes the heart to enter an arrhythmia when the hit to the chest happens at the exact right time in the cardiac cycle. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2023 The most recent whale, for example, may have been killed from a vessel strike after responders observed evidence of blunt trauma to the whale's head and thoracic area, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Li Cohen, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2023 Commotio cordis can happen to a person with a normal heart and occurs when a blunt trauma to a person’s chest – often while playing sports – leads to cardiac arrest where their heart stops pumping blood. Wendy Tzou, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2023 Commotio cordis can happen to a person with a normal heart and occurs when a blunt trauma to a person’s chest – often while playing sports – leads to cardiac arrest where their heart stops pumping blood. Wendy Tzou, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2023 The agency requests that the Toad Busters use blunt trauma for brain destruction. Brett Israel, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2010 Photographs provided to The Post by his family appear to show that a number of teeth had been knocked out, and there were signs of blunt trauma on his forehead. Mustafa Salim, Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blunt trauma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blunt trauma was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near blunt trauma

Cite this Entry

“Blunt trauma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blunt%20trauma. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Medical Definition

blunt trauma

noun
: a usually serious injury caused by a blunt object or collision with a blunt surface (as in an automobile accident or a fall from a building)
the patient died of blunt trauma to the head

called also blunt force trauma

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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