hematoma

American  

[hee-ma-toh-muh, hem-uh-] / ˌhi mæˈtoʊ mə, ˌhɛm ə- /

noun

Pathology.

hematomas, plural hematomata plural

1. a circumscribed collection of blood, usually clotted, in a tissue or organ, caused by a break in a blood vessel.

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hematoma Scientific  

/ hē′mə-tō′mə /

hematomas plural

1. The abnormal buildup of blood in an organ or other tissue of the body, caused by a break in a blood vessel.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hematomas
  plural
• hematomata
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hematoma

First recorded in 1840–50; hemat- + -oma

Compare meaning

How does hematoma compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hematoma vs. blood clot

Example Sentences

The procedure does not eliminate her cancer risk entirely, and she said she dealt with complications, including a hematoma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

In the early days after injury, a hematoma or bruise develops at the fracture site.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

“I think people can understand a torn rotator cuff,” Grace says, “but they can’t necessarily understand pelvic hematoma until they’ve had one.”

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

On Instagram he said his illness was caused by a subdural hematoma, a condition where there is bleeding in the brain.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024

An ovarian hematoma the size of a large orange was removed from the right side.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)