contusion

1 of 2

noun

con·​tu·​sion kən-ˈtü-zhən 

-ˈtyü-

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

contuse

kən-ˈtüz 

-ˈtyüz

transitive verb

contuse

2 of 2

transitive verb

con·​tuse kən-ˈt(y)üz 

-ed/-ing/-s

1

: to beat or pound together (as in a mortar)

2

: to injure or disorganize (superficial or deeper tissues) with or without breaking the skin : bruise

Synonyms of contusion

Noun

• bruise

Examples of contusion in a Sentence

Noun

He suffered multiple contusions of the leg.

suffered multiple contusions as a result of a car accident

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In early 2025, Said was assigned to cover the Los Angeles wildfires and additional weather events, according to the suit, and while in the field sustained a bone contusion when a piece of heavy equipment struck her foot. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Gonzales, who entered the day third in the NL in hitting, sustained a facial contusion and was replaced by pinch-runner Jacob Gonzalez. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Fermin has been contributing more than controlling the running game since returning from a head contusion on July 17. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Altuve stayed in the game but did not return for the bottom of the second inning with what the team said was a left foot contusion. — CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Transitive verb

Middle French contuser, from Latin contusus, past participle of contundere to beat, crush, from com- + tundere to beat

First Known Use

Noun

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