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

Playing without Brown, who sat out with a knee contusion on the first night of a back-to-back, Boston battered the shorthanded Suns 97-81 at the Mortgage Matchup Center to remain perfect on its West Coast road trip. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026

Sam Hauser shot 6 for 14, including 4 for 10 from 3-point range, to add 16 points and the Celtics - playing without All-Star Jaylen Brown (right knee contusion) - won their fourth in a row and for the ninth time in their last 10 games. —CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Jovic also has missed five games this season with a hip impingement, four with an elbow contusion and was held out three times by coach’s decision. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026

In the game before the All-Star break against the Detroit Pistons, he got hit in the chest, suffering what the team called a rib contusion. —Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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