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
callused; callusing; calluses
: to form callus
: to cause callus to form on
Examples of callus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoë Hecht, womenshealthmag.com, 5 May 2023
North Atlantic right whales can be identified by white calluses on their head.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 19 July 2023
At this point Collin is training to be a Marine in order to serve his country and is unable to respond to his mother’s callus lies.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 21 July 2023
This involves choosing well-fitting shoes that don't excessively rub against the heels and following a dedicated foot care routine that includes soaking, reducing calluses with a pumice stone, and moisturizing.
—Marisa Petrarca, Allure, 30 June 2023
The talent, chemistry, and necessary postseason calluses are all present.
—Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023
People with high arches are more prone to dealing with arch inflexibility or stiffness, ankle pain, a tight Achilles tendon, discomfort in the ball and heel, or painful corns and calluses.
—April Benshosan, Health, 5 May 2023
With smiles and calluses, said Bob Muller, president of the all-volunteer Royal Oak Nature Society, on-hand for Thursday’s planting.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 27 Apr. 2023
Our choice for the best gardening gloves for men, these gloves were designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon to provide better dexterity, while reducing hand fatigue, joint pain, blisters, and calluses.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023
oregonlive, 18 June 2023
This handy product is made with natural and organic ingredients, including beeswax and shea butter, to provide a soothing moisturizer for not only dry noses and paw pads but also rough elbows and callused areas.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2023
And for added comfort, these sneakers come with a removable anatomical insole, which helps support the arch and cushion the foot, protecting the metatarsal and heels by reducing pain, callus build-up, and pressure, says Dr. Yau.
—April Benshosan, Health, 5 May 2023
His arms and face were tanned from perpetually toiling in the sun, his fingers callused.
—Selene Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2023
The Malin + Goetz Peppermint Body Scrub is an intensive exfoliator and callus remover that's become another one of Dr. Nazarian's favorite treatments for soft feet.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 13 Mar. 2023
After cutting it, allow the cutting to callus over.
—Evan Hecht, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022
Allow for the leaf to callus over before planting, similar to using cuttings.
—Evan Hecht, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022
If the patches are dry and callused, the fruits should store okay in your basement.
—Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 26 Sep. 2019
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Noun
See below for the best callus removers in 2023, as well as tips on how to prevent calluses from showing up on your feet in the first place.
—Zoë Hecht, womenshealthmag.com, 5 May 2023
North Atlantic right whales can be identified by white calluses on their head.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 19 July 2023
At this point Collin is training to be a Marine in order to serve his country and is unable to respond to his mother’s callus lies.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 21 July 2023
This involves choosing well-fitting shoes that don't excessively rub against the heels and following a dedicated foot care routine that includes soaking, reducing calluses with a pumice stone, and moisturizing.
—Marisa Petrarca, Allure, 30 June 2023
The talent, chemistry, and necessary postseason calluses are all present.
—Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023
People with high arches are more prone to dealing with arch inflexibility or stiffness, ankle pain, a tight Achilles tendon, discomfort in the ball and heel, or painful corns and calluses.
—April Benshosan, Health, 5 May 2023
With smiles and calluses, said Bob Muller, president of the all-volunteer Royal Oak Nature Society, on-hand for Thursday’s planting.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 27 Apr. 2023
Our choice for the best gardening gloves for men, these gloves were designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon to provide better dexterity, while reducing hand fatigue, joint pain, blisters, and calluses.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023
Verb
The best to hope for is that the tree will callus over the wounded area.
—oregonlive, 18 June 2023
This handy product is made with natural and organic ingredients, including beeswax and shea butter, to provide a soothing moisturizer for not only dry noses and paw pads but also rough elbows and callused areas.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2023
And for added comfort, these sneakers come with a removable anatomical insole, which helps support the arch and cushion the foot, protecting the metatarsal and heels by reducing pain, callus build-up, and pressure, says Dr. Yau.
—April Benshosan, Health, 5 May 2023
His arms and face were tanned from perpetually toiling in the sun, his fingers callused.
—Selene Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2023
The Malin + Goetz Peppermint Body Scrub is an intensive exfoliator and callus remover that's become another one of Dr. Nazarian's favorite treatments for soft feet.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 13 Mar. 2023
After cutting it, allow the cutting to callus over.
—Evan Hecht, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022
Allow for the leaf to callus over before planting, similar to using cuttings.
—Evan Hecht, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022
If the patches are dry and callused, the fruits should store okay in your basement.
—Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 26 Sep. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'callus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Dictionary Entries Near callus
Cite this Entry
“Callus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/callus. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on callus
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for callus
Nglish: Translation of callus for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of callus for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about callus
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