concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkə-shən 

1

a

: a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow

especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function

The football player suffered a concussion.

b

: a hard blow or collision

2

: agitation, shaking

The concussion from the explosion was felt 12 miles away.

concussive

kən-ˈkə-siv 

adjective

Synonyms

• bump
• collision
• crash
• impact
• impingement
• jar
• jolt
• jounce
• kick
• shock
• slam
• smash
• strike
• wallop

Choose the Right Synonym for concussion

impact, collision, shock, concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things.

impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Examples of concussion in a Sentence

She suffered a severe concussion after falling on the ice.

He went to hospital with concussion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Medical evaluations could play a role on where and when Jackson Powers-Johnson is drafted considering he’s suffered multiple concussions. 8. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

Reed sustained a black eye, a fractured nose and a concussion from being knocked unconscious after his head hit asphalt. —Alexandra Duggan, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024

Brain scans later showed tissue damage and volume loss similar to those found in persistent concussion syndrome. —Nik Popli, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024

Thankfully, Lindor passed his concussion test and had clear X-ray scans, but did crack a tooth from the pitch. —Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024

Studies by the University of Pennsylvania in 2018 and 2019 suggested that people affected by the syndrome had possible brain injuries that were different from typical concussion injuries or other traumatic brain injuries. —Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024

Other injuries sustained in the crash include a cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures for Team Emirates rider Jay Vine and a concussion and fractured sternum for EF Pro Cycling’s Sean Quinn. —Matias Grez, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

The man is dealing with the symptoms of a concussion, like brain fog and sensitivity to light and sound, the attorney said. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024

Those sports led to many injuries: concussions, hamstring strains, rotator cuff issues. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English concussioun, from Latin concussion-, concussio, from concutere to shake violently, from com- + quatere to shake

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing concussion

• concussion grenade

Kids Definition

concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: a violent uneven motion

2

: a hard blow or collision

3

: bodily injury especially of the brain resulting from a sudden sharp jar (as from a blow)

concussive

-ˈkəs-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

concussion

noun

con·​cus·​sion kən-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: a hard blow or collision

2

: a condition resulting from the stunning, damaging, or shattering effects of a hard blow

especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function and sometimes marked by permanent damage

concussive

-ˈkəs-iv 

adjective