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

• 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

The dog suffered contusions on the right side of his ribs. —Alana Wise, NPR, 28 June 2025

He’s continued to remain productive even after suffering a left ankle contusion after fouling a ball off himself on the day that the Giants acquired Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 June 2025

His list of injuries is long: plantar fasciitis, a bone bruise in his foot, a bruised heel, a broken finger, a lower rib contusion, as well as his chronic back problems. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 11 June 2025

Fellow UConn graduate Aaliyah Edwards, in her second year with Washington, was out for the matchup due to a lower back contusion suffered during training camp. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025

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