lesion
Americannoun
-
an injury; hurt; wound.
-
Pathology. any localized, abnormal structural change in the body.
-
Plant Pathology. any localized, defined area of diseased tissue, as a spot, canker, blister, or scab.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
any structural change in a bodily part resulting from injury or disease
-
an injury or wound
Etymology
Origin of lesion
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin laesiōn-, stem of laesiō “injury,” from Latin laes(us) “harmed” (past participle of laedere “to harm”) + -iō -ion
Explanation
A lesion is an injury to the living tissue on your body, like your skin or an organ. Usually a lesion involves a break or wound to the skin, so protect it with a bandage so that it heals quickly. Lesion, pronounced "LEE-zhun," comes from the Latin word laesionem meaning "injury." Lesions on the skin are usually not very nice to look at, the kind of wounds that might make you grimace — things like open sores, cuts, deep scrapes or puss-filled gashes. Lesions also are a concern of doctors because if lesions develop without explanation, it can be a sign that your immune system is dangerously weak.
Vocabulary lists containing lesion
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Feed
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Psychology
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lesion cases fed most of the era’s knowledge of the brain.
From Scientific American • Oct. 30, 2018
Lesion network mapping empowers lesion studies to rigorously answer this newer question.
From Scientific American • Oct. 30, 2018
Lesion studies lend a lawyerly logic to the brain: if region X is destroyed and function Y no longer occurs, then region X must control function Y.
From Scientific American • Oct. 30, 2018
On Monday, the Mariners’ outfielder underwent successful surgery to repair a Bankart Lesion.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2017
A Bankart Lesion refers to damage to the Glenoid labrum and attached joint capsule.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2017
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
