plural wounds
1
: an injury that is caused when a knife, bullet, etc., cuts or breaks the skin
She suffered/received a knife/stab wound to/in her thigh.
a gunshot/bullet wound
2
: a feeling of sadness, anger, etc., that is caused by something bad that has happened to you
Her mother's scorn left a wound that never healed.
Talking about her divorce opened up some old wounds. [=caused her to again have old feelings of anger, sadness, etc.]
emotional wounds
wounds; wounded; wounding
1
: to injure (someone or something) by cutting or breaking the skin
Four people were seriously/badly wounded in the explosion.
The soldier's leg was wounded by a grenade.
2
: to cause (someone) to feel emotional pain
I was wounded [=hurt] by her remarks.
Losing the match wounded his pride/ego.
wound
3 of 3past tense and past participle of wind entry 2
Cite this Entry
“Wound.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/wound. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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