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

Still without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain) and Jalen Suggs (right knee Grade 1 MCL contusion), the Magic saw an 11-game win streak against the Wizards that stretched back to March 2023 come to an end. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

Powell closed with 21 points, with Herro scoring 17 after missing 13 games with a toe contusion. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

Nursing a left knee contusion, Miller didn’t play against the Raptors, joining Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams in street clothes on the bench. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026

Jackson, dealing with a painful back contusion, passed for 238 yards and three scores, including a pair to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter. —Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 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