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

After starring in the opener with 13 points and a steal against the Warriors, Williams missed the last two games because of a foot contusion. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

The Hawks ruled out veteran guard CJ McCollum with a nose contusion ahead of Monday night’s game, opening the door for the rookie guard to run with the remaining available starters. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026

But with Kon Knueppel, Coby White, and Brandon Miller out with minor injuries — a left hamstring strain, left calf strain, and shin contusion, respectively — Charlotte’s four preseason games will hardly answer that question. — Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Durant’s two injuries in the playoffs — a right knee contusion suffered in practice and a left ankle sprain suffered in a Game 2 loss to the Lakers — were both considered freak accidents. — William Guillory, New York Times, 30 Sep. 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