laceration
AmericanOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of laceration
First recorded in 1590–1600, laceration is from the Latin word lacerātiōn- (stem of lacerātiō ). See lacerate, -ion
Explanation
A laceration is a tear, cut, or gash. Your heart can also get a more figurative laceration when you see your love kissing another. Either way, ouch. A laceration implies that there is a tearing or jaggedness to the wound. A surgeon would not make a laceration on a patient, but an incision. Lacerations are reserved for things like barbed wire, errant nails, and fickle loves.
Vocabulary lists containing laceration
All American Boys
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The Kite Runner
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That Hurts! Synonyms for "Pain"
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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.
"He had a small laceration to his beak and one just on the left side of his body - but other than that, he was pretty much absolutely fine," she said.
From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025
An agent who was inside one of the vehicles suffered a hand laceration, according to the complaint filed against Reyna.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025
When I first met Amy in the emergency room, she had a minor laceration on her finger.
From Salon • Jun. 14, 2025
Court coordinator Andy Flack said Ms Hempstead was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment after being found by police with a "laceration to her upper limb" on 29 July.
From BBC • Aug. 15, 2024
“The worst laceration was on your upper lip,” Armand said.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
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.
