abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

a

: a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

b

: irritation

2

: an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms

• bruise
• graze
• scrape

Examples of abrasion in a Sentence

abrasion of rocks by wind and water

walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

Recent Examples on the Web

Improperly fitting contact lenses may result in corneal abrasions (a scratch or scrape on the surface of your cornea), which may cause pain, redness, and even vision loss. —Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2024

Dirt can also create abrasion, which chips away at your zipper teeth. —Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024

Medical reports detailed the extent of the injuries the family sustained in explosions that day: shrapnel pierced through Halabi's eye, her husband had multiple puncture wounds and fractures in his spine, while their teenage daughter had abrasions from debris. —Sean Keane, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2024

This bag features durable PVC material and a roll-top closure that provides impressive waterproofing and abrasion resistance — during our testing period, water rolled right off the bag. —Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

: a rubbing, grinding, or wearing away by friction

2

: a place where the surface has been rubbed or scraped off

an abrasion on her knee

Medical Definition

abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

: wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

2

a

: the rubbing or scraping of the surface layer of cells or tissue from an area of the skin or mucous membrane

also : a place so abraded

b

: the mechanical wearing away of the tooth surfaces by chewing