concussion

[kuhn-kuhsh-uhn]

noun

1. Pathology.,  injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow, fall, or the like.

2. shock caused by the impact of a collision, blow, etc.

3. the act of violently shaking or jarring.

concussion

/ kənˈkʌʃən /

noun

1. a jarring of the brain, caused by a blow or a fall, usually resulting in loss of consciousness

2. any violent shaking; jarring

concussion

1. An injury to a soft structure, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow or impact and followed by a temporary, sometimes prolonged, loss of function. A concussion of the brain results in transient loss of consciousness or memory.

Other Word Forms

• concussional adjective
• concussant adjective
• concussive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concussion¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin concussiōn-, stem of concussiō “a shaking,” also “earthquake, extortion”; equivalent to concuss + -ion

Example Sentences

Most had had previous, less severe incidents—or “micro concussions”—that while not enough to send them to a clinician, predisposed them to a bigger event, he said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Researchers at Durham University also found rugby players who have suffered multiple concussions have biological differences that may make them more prone to developing MND.

Read more on BBC

Right guard Mekhi Becton returned from a concussion that sidelined him for the Giants game, but Sunday sustained a hand injury.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Becton sustained a concussion in the Week 3 win over Denver and missed the Giants game.

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A Black teenager was left with a concussion, chipped teeth and several abrasions after a group of teenage boys attacked him in a Simi Valley parking lot while shouting racial slurs, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bump 
• injury 
• shock 
• trauma