lesion

noun

le·​sion ˈlē-zhən How to pronounce lesion (audio)
1
2
: an abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease
especially : one that is circumscribed (see circumscribe sense 1) and well defined
lesioned adjective

Examples of lesion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web On the call, McKee gently shared the diagnosis: Myers had had stage 1 CTE, characterized by one to three microscopic lesions. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2023 Over-the-counter cortisone cream can help alleviate symptoms, but do not scratch or pick the lesions since that can cause further infection, Dr. Jacobs adds. Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023 The performer also has frontal lobe lesions, which affect her working memory and planning abilities. Elizabeth Myong, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2023 This wasn’t a lesion in the temporal lobe, or epilepsy. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2023 Researchers are using machine-learning to build tools in the realm of cancer detection and diagnosing, potentially catching tumors or lesions that doctors could miss. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 July 2023 Then, in August, Row underwent surgery to remove pelvic lesions, which had unfortunately become cancerous, according to Heavy. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023 In that case, injuries can compound until the brain is overwhelmed, until — unable to reconfigure themselves — the tau proteins essentially rot, creating toxic lesions that spread deeper into the brain and even sometimes into the brain stem. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2023 First lady Jill Biden has cancerous lesion removed from near her right eye A health care provider, such as a dermatologist, may perform a full-body skin exam to look for any abnormal spots as well as an exam of the lymph nodes because the cancer can spread quickly. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lesion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin laesion-, laesio, from laedere to injure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lesion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lesion

Cite this Entry

“Lesion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesion. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

lesion

noun
le·​sion ˈlē-zhən How to pronounce lesion (audio)
: a change in the structure of a bodily organ or part due to injury or disease
especially : an injured or diseased spot or area clearly marked off from healthy tissue around it

Medical Definition

lesion

1 of 2 noun
le·​sion ˈlē-zhən How to pronounce lesion (audio)
: an abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease
especially : one that is circumscribed and well defined
lesioned adjective

lesion

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to produce lesions in (as an animal's brain)

Legal Definition

lesion

noun
le·​sion ˈlē-zhən How to pronounce lesion (audio)
in the civil law of Louisiana : loss from failure to receive a threshold amount or value (as one-half market value) for immovable property conveyed or transferred by a commutative contract (as a sale or exchange)

called also lesion beyond moiety

compare unjust enrichment
Etymology

Anglo-French, damage, injury, from Latin laesio, from laedere to injure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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