concussion

American  

[kuhn-kuhsh-uhn] / kənˈkʌʃ ən /

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ kən-kŭsh′ən /

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

• concussant adjective
• concussional adjective
• concussive adjective

Etymology

Origin of concussion

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

Example Sentences

Jack Nowell replaced Watson as he was assessed for signs of concussion, but six minutes later, Watson jogged back on to the pitch and proceeded to play the remainder of the Lions' 24-21 win.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Stand-down periods for any player with a concussion are mandatory and guided by medical experts.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

She likes to tell the story of how, after she was treated for a concussion and a broken arm at a local hospital, she wandered the halls confused why nobody was trying to charge her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Tagovailoa, dogged by injuries, suffered a serious concussion early in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

I swallow, thinking of Eddie, with her concussion and her broken leg.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• bump
• injury
• shock
• trauma