callus

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noun cal·lus \ˈka-ləs\

Definition of callus

1 : a thickening of or a hard thickened area on skin or bark
2 : a mass of exudate and connective tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is converted into bone in healing
3 : soft tissue that forms over a wounded or cut plant surface

See callus defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of callus from the Web

After a hydrating, callus-blasting pedicure and thorough buff job to reverse winter’s harsh-and-dry effects, what better way to celebrate than by adding a pair of festive, weekend-ready sandals to your warm weather ensemble?

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "Summer's Best Sandals--And the Pedicure Shades to Match," 3 July 2017
As a whole, my feet are much softer and the calluses are all gone.

— self, Glamour, "5 Women Tried Baby Foot, and the Results Were Both Disgusting and Satisfying," 3 July 2017
The best way to kick calluses is with a foot file (like Tweezerman's Step-Two-It Foot File, $12, sephora.com).

— maddy zollo, Seventeen, "7 Ways To Fight Fugly Feet This Summer," 30 June 2017
But emotional calluses have always been a fear of mine.

— armando l. sanchez, chicagotribune.com, "My Photo Life," 26 May 2017
With up to 20 hours a week devoted to training and blisters turned to calluses, by the end of the season about half the men have dropped away.

— david whiting, Orange County Register, "Orange Coast College rowers go for 12th national title — against best 4-year universities," 24 May 2017
Doing so will ensure callus-free feet with a baby-skin-soft, supple texture, making your polished toes all the more immaculate.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "Why You Should Be Getting a *Medical* Pedicure for Summer," 18 May 2017
Footsie Soft — A gripped foot scraper that can seemingly remove foot calluses quickly.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Microwavable cheese 'grater' among inventions displayed in San Diego," 27 Apr. 2017
The maturity of Gray can be measured by the calluses on his heart.

— mark kiszla, The Denver Post, "Kiszla: Does pitcher Jon Gray have right stuff to break curse of being Rockies starter on opening day?," 30 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'callus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of callus

Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1563

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

callus

verb cal·lus

Definition of callus

intransitive verb
: to form callus
transitive verb
: to cause callus to form on

First Known Use of callus

1824

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

CALLUS Defined for English Language Learners

callus

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noun

Definition of callus for English Language Learners

: a hard and thickened area on the skin and especially on the hands or feet

CALLUS Defined for Kids

callus

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noun cal·lus \ˈka-ləs\

Definition of callus for Students

plural

calluses

: a hard thickened area on the skin and especially on the hands and feet

Medical Dictionary

callus

play

noun cal·lus \ˈkal-əs\

Medical Definition of callus

1: a thickening of or a hard thickened area on skin
2: a mass of exudate and connective tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is converted into bone in the healing of the break