concussion

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noun con·cus·sion \kən-ˈkə-shən\

Definition of concussion

1a : 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.

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

The incident left Nkumbi with a concussion, bump to the head and internal injuries, according to South Africa's News24.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "For Black South African Woman, #AirBnbWhileBlack Became A Dangerous Reality," 14 July 2017
But a compound previously used to enhance memory in mice may offer hope: Rodents who took it up to a month after a concussion had memory capabilities similar to those that had never been injured.

— ryan cross, Science | AAAS, "Memory-enhancing drug reverses effects of traumatic brain injury in mice," 10 July 2017
Hummel made it through the season relatively unscathed physically, save for a broken nose and concussion.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Purdue grad Robbie Hummel weighs future plans after season in Russia," 20 June 2017
In addition to sudden cardiac arrest and Heads Up Blocking, the program covers concussion awareness and recognition, heat and hydration protocols, proper tackling fundamentals and equipment fitting.

— miamiherald, "Gulliver, Miami Dolphins hosted Special Olympics Florida events," 18 June 2017
Not incoincidentally, all four players have had concussion, or at least head trauma, scares in games over the past two years.

— terez a. paylor, kansascity.com, "Several Chiefs will be testing out a new, potentially safer, helmet in training camp," 16 June 2017
Oher still remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, and has for more than eight months.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "School almost out for summer, but there’s still much to learn about Carolina Panthers," 12 June 2017
In November, Oher visited the highly regarded concussion clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Next step for Michael Oher’s NFL career should be clear, shouldn’t blind side anyone," 12 June 2017
Kennedy had no known history of concussions during his NFL career.

— bob condotta, The Seattle Times, "Police report shows Cortez Kennedy had been hospitalized for swelling in legs shortly before death," 5 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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

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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

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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

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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