concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkə-shən 

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.

concussive

kən-ˈkə-siv 

adjective

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of concussion in a Sentence

She suffered a severe concussion after falling on the ice.

He went to hospital with concussion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Story continues below advertisement The goal for World Rugby was to find a point at which a head acceleration event has a higher likelihood of being a concussion. —Jeffrey Tomik, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

One of the people in the other vehicle suffered a back injury, numbness, and a concussion and was taken to a hospital emergency room, the consumer added. —William Gavin, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024

Sophomore center Valentina Guerrero, who was sidelined because of a broken nose and concussion, had 15 points in her first game back Tuesday. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024

More:Wayne County sheriff's deputy suspended, charged with ethnic intimidation in Macomb Co. The officer involved went to a local hospital and is in stable condition, with a possible concussion and likely a broken hand. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024

She has been diagnosed with a concussion, but her initial scans came back otherwise clean. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024

When Garay-Serrato's mother died in 2015, concussion experts asked to autopsy the brain. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024

Daphne’s wrist was broken; Electra suffered a concussion. —Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

The teacher fell to the ground and was punched 15-20 times in the head, and later was treated for a concussion. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing concussion

• concussion grenade

Kids Definition

concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: a violent uneven motion

2

: a hard blow or collision

3

: bodily injury especially of the brain resulting from a sudden sharp jar (as from a blow)

concussive

-ˈkəs-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkəsh-ən 

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

concussive

-ˈkəs-iv 

adjective