callus

1 of 2

noun

cal·​lus ˈka-ləs 

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

callus

2 of 2

verb

callused; callusing; calluses

intransitive verb

: to form callus

transitive verb

: to cause callus to form on

Examples of callus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Now, unfortunately, he’s gotten to a place emotionally, spiritually, physically and skills-wise where he’s had to grow some calluses. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025

Too little results in no callus; too much prevents the bone from knitting back together. —Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025

Verb

Snail mucin, the thick and slimy secretion produced by the invertebrates, emerged in skin care back in the late ’80s and ’90s as treatments for warts, acnes and even calluses on the body. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 July 2025

Place the succulent stem on a plate for a few days to allow the cut end to callus over, and then plant the cut stem in a pot filled with a moist potting mix designed for cacti and succulents. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin

First Known Use

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1824, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for callus

• allis
• balas
• callous
• chalice
• gallus
• malice
• malus
• palace
• pallas
• phallus
• talis
• talus

Kids Definition

callus

1 of 2 noun

cal·​lus ˈkal-əs 

plural calluses

1

: a hard thickened area on skin or bark

2

: a mass of tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is changed into bone in the healing of the break

3

: tissue that forms over an injured plant surface

callus

2 of 2 verb

: to form callus

Medical Definition

callus

noun

cal·​lus ˈkal-əs 

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