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

And even though Smart missed his fifth consecutive game Tuesday night against the Cavaliers because of a right ankle contusion, Ayton and the Lakers still felt his presence. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Malik Monk has been ruled out due to a right shoulder contusion. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026

White has been on the injury report due to a right knee contusion. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026

Veteran guard Marcus Smart remains day-to-day with a right elbow contusion after two plays against the Orlando Magic left him worse for wear to play in the final two games of the Lakers’ recent six-game trip. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 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