trauma

[trou-muh, traw-]

noun

plural

traumas, traumata 

1. Pathology.

   1. a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident.

   2. the condition produced by this; traumatism.

2. Psychiatry.

   1. an experience that produces psychological injury or pain.

   2. the psychological injury so caused.

trauma

/ ˈtrɔːmə, trɔːˈmætɪk /

noun

1. psychol a powerful shock that may have long-lasting effects

2. pathol any bodily injury or wound

trauma

1. Severe bodily injury, as from a gunshot wound or a motor vehicle accident.

2. Psychological or emotional injury caused by a deeply disturbing experience.

trauma

1. Wounds that result from sudden physical injury or violence.

The term is frequently used to describe an emotional shock that causes serious psychological damage.

Other Word Forms

• traumatic adjective
• traumatically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trauma¹

First recorded in 1685–95, trauma is from the Greek word traûma wound

Word History and Origins

Origin of trauma¹

C18: from Greek: a wound

Example Sentences

Wearing a navy blue outfit and white turban, another refugee, Youssouf, was sitting under a shed, his eyes reflecting the trauma of his experiences, when the BBC met him.

Read more on BBC

Ms Andrew was clear that the organisation would never put anyone forward to be interviewed, due to the trauma they had suffered.

Read more on BBC

"But when you're a parent to adopted children and two arrive at the same time and they have lived through early life trauma… it's parenting plus."

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There was a time in my life when I was looking for a film about going through a trauma that held my hand while I was watching it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Just give me a break from reporting on the trauma and tragedy. But who knows if the future needs me? Maybe I’m just good for this moment, and I’m good with that.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agony 
• anguish 
• blow 
• confusion 
• damage 
• injury 
• ordeal 
• shock 
• strain 
• stress 
• suffering 
• torture 
• upheaval 
• wound 

When To Use

What does trauma mean?

Trauma refers to a sudden, serious body injury or shock, as from violence or an accident, as in The car accident resulted in trauma to the arms and legs of the passenger.Trauma also refers to a serious psychological injury or emotional pain, as from being involved in a disturbing or horrible incident, as in The trauma caused by years of war still gives the soldier nightmares. Trauma is also used to refer to the specific incidents that cause both of these types of serious damage, as in The flood survivors never spoke of the trauma they experienced that day. Example: The victim suffered from internal bleeding caused by repeated trauma to the chest.