traumatic brain injury

noun

: an acquired brain injury caused by external force (such as a blow to the head sustained in a motor vehicle accident or fall or shrapnel or a bullet entering through the skull)
Traumatic brain injury occurs when the shock from an explosion damages neurological fibers. Soldiers may survive a blast with scarcely a cut, only to find over time that they suffer coordination and memory loss, dizziness, insomnia.Nancy Gibbs
An unprotected fall, especially if the player is unconscious or his opponent lands on top of him, can result in severe traumatic brain injury.Michael J. Stuart et al.
broadly : acquired brain injury
abbreviation TBI

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Cirello‘s injuries included a traumatic brain injury and broken bones, and he was hospitalized for nearly a week. Flores was arrested about a week later in the Madera County city of Oakhurst. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2023 The only risk factor yet identified is a history of concussion or traumatic brain injury, Finger says. Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2023 During Head's sentencing, Fanone said the attack gave him a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury and ultimately cost him his career. Michael Kunzelman, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023 The resulting traumatic brain injury and memory loss forced the cancelation of a string of 2022 shows during her recovery, which is ongoing. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 Mar. 2023 These symptoms had an impact on health as severe as the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury. Sarah Wulf Hanson, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2023 Rodriguez, 40, admitted attacking Fanone as the officer, who suffered a heart attack and traumatic brain injury, was dragged down the stairs. Harold Maass, The Week, 15 Feb. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traumatic brain injury was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near traumatic brain injury

Cite this Entry

“Traumatic brain injury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatic%20brain%20injury. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

traumatic brain injury

noun
: an acquired brain injury caused by external force (as a blow to the head sustained in a motor vehicle accident or fall or shrapnel or a bullet entering through the skull)
A soldier—or a civilian—can survive the blast without a single penetrating wound and still receive the worst diagnosis: traumatic brain injury, or TBI, the signature injury of the Iraq War.Michael Mason, Discover
An unprotected fall, especially if the player is unconscious or his opponent lands on top of him, can result in severe traumatic brain injury.Michael J. Stuart et al., USA Today
broadly : acquired brain injury
abbreviation TBI
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY