concussion

noun con·cus·sion \ kən-ˈkə-shən \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: concussion in a Sentence

Definition of concussion

1 a : a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow; especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function

The football player suffered a concussion.

b : a hard blow or collision

2 : agitation, shaking

The concussion from the explosion was felt 12 miles away.

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concussive

play \kən-ˈkə-siv\ adjective

See concussion defined for English-language learners

See concussion defined for kids

Examples of concussion in a Sentence

She suffered a severe concussion after falling on the ice.
He went to hospital with concussion.

Recent Examples of concussion from the Web

Boston doctors diagnose Liverpool goalie Boston doctors say Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius sustained a concussion during last month's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid that would have affected his performance.

— BostonGlobe.com, "FIFA president says money just one factor in World Cup vote," 5 June 2018
James had to do it without Kevin Love — Cleveland's only other all-star — who sustained a concussion in Game 6 and was replaced in the lineup by Jeff Green.

— Bloomberg.com, "LeBron's 35 Help Cavs Beat Celtics 87-79, Reach NBA Finals," 28 May 2018
Cheney, who received the first text while Delgadillo was being tended to by paramedics, figured his friend was knocked out and perhaps would have a concussion.

— nicole blanchard and chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "Man who died in Boise mountain biking accident was an experienced trail rider | Idaho Statesman," 14 May 2018
Stratton’s debut season as a pro ended after eight games in the short-season Northwest League when he was smoked in the head by a line drive during batting practice and sustained a concussion.

— henry schulman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Giants’ patience with draftmates Mac Williamson, Chris Stratton paying off," 26 Apr. 2018
Scientists follow the eyes to determine whether athletes have had concussions.

— CNN, "CNN 10 - April 20, 2018," 19 Apr. 2018
Fleener’s season ended after sustaining a concussion.

— larry holder, NOLA.com, "Grading the 2017 New Orleans Saints: Tight end," 16 Feb. 2018
In addition to his shoulder injury, Luck has had a torn abdomen, a lacerated kidney and a concussion in recent seasons.

— michael salfino, WSJ, "For Some Quarterbacks, the Hits Just Keep on Coming," 11 Aug. 2017
Edwards also started Orlando City’s 2017 season finale against the Philadelphia Union while Bendik was out with a concussion.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik benched, lineup changes for Lions," 14 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of concussion

Middle English concussioun, from Latin concussion-, concussio, from concutere to shake violently, from com- + quatere to shake

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

concussion Synonyms

Synonyms

bump, collision, crash, impact, impingement, jar, jolt, jounce, kick, shock, slam, smash, strike, wallop;

bashing, battering, bludgeoning, clobbering, hammering, lambasting, licking, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing;

contact, encounter, meeting, touch;

Synonym Discussion of concussion

impact, collision, shock, concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things. impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

- the glass shattered on impact with the floor

collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

- the collision damaged the vehicle

shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

- the shock of falling rocks

concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

- bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

CONCUSSION Defined for English Language Learners

concussion

noun

Definition of concussion for English Language Learners

: an injury to the brain that is caused by something hitting the head very hard ( US ) ( Brit )

CONCUSSION Defined for Kids

concussion

noun con·cus·sion \ kən-ˈkə-shən \

Definition of concussion for Students

: injury to the brain caused by a hard hit on the head

Medical Dictionary

concussion

noun con·cus·sion \ kən-ˈkəsh-ən \

medical Definition of concussion

1 : a hard blow or collision

2 : a condition resulting from the stunning, damaging, or shattering effects of a hard blow; especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function and sometimes marked by permanent damage

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