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

Gelof suffered a right hand laceration and contusion during the brutal, bottom-of-the-second-inning play that led to the A’s infielder exiting the game with blood visible on his hand, the club said earlier this week. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

The Athletics’ Zack Gelof left the game in the bottom of the second with a right hand laceration and contusion after Matt Chapman inadvertently spiked his hand trying to stretch a single into a double. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

That forced Gelof to leave the game with a laceration and contusion, and his hitting streak ended at 24 games. — ABC News, 24 June 2026

Trea Turner, who returned after missing one game with a right wrist contusion, had three hits. — CBS News, 17 June 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