contusion

noun

con·​tu·​sion kən-ˈtü-zhən 

-ˈtyü-

: injury to tissue usually without laceration : bruise sense 1a

contuse

kən-ˈtüz 

-ˈtyüz

transitive verb

Synonyms of contusion

• bruise

Examples of contusion in a Sentence

He suffered multiple contusions of the leg.

suffered multiple contusions as a result of a car accident

Recent Examples on the Web

After playing on the junior varsity team as a freshman, Matusak missed his sophomore season with a contusion on a vertebra in his lower back. —Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Ben Saraf entered the day listed as questionable with a left calf contusion but has since been upgraded to available. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026

Also probable is forward Pelle Larsson, who is listed with an elbow contusion. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026

Both victims suffered head contusions and received CT scans at a hospital. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conteschown, from Latin contusion-, contusio, from contundere to pound, bruise, from com- + tundere to beat; akin to Goth stautan to strike, Sanskrit tudati he pushes

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion
• infusion

Kids Definition

contusion

noun

con·​tus·​ion

kən-ˈt(y)ü-zhən

: an injury to tissue that usually does not break the skin : bruise

contuse

-ˈt(y)üz

verb

Medical Definition

contusion

noun

con·​tu·​sion kən-ˈt(y)ü-zhən 

: injury to tissue usually without laceration : bruise sense 1

contuse

-ˈt(y)üz 

transitive verb

contused; contusing