trauma

The word “trauma” means a serious physical injury to the body. In plain terms, a serious injury — physical or emotional — caused by a harmful or deeply distressing event.

“Trauma” is pronounced TRAW-muh (/ˈtɹɔ.mə/ in IPA).

Here is “trauma” used in a sentence: “The paramedics treated the patient for chest trauma after the crash.”

“Trauma” is a noun.

The word “trauma” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek trauma, "wound, damage.".

“Trauma” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Trauma” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a serious physical injury to the body.

Physical trauma is a serious injury to the body, such as a wound from an accident. Emotional or psychological trauma is severe mental distress caused by a disturbing experience, so the same word covers harm to both body and mind.

Trauma is severe distress caused by a deeply disturbing event, and its effects can be lasting. Stress is a broader, often temporary response to pressure or demands, and it does not always stem from a single disturbing experience.

The plural is usually "traumas" in everyday and medical English. The Greek-based form "traumata" also exists but is far less common and appears mainly in technical writing.

Trauma refers to the injury or the deeply disturbing experience itself, whether physical or emotional. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a specific mental health condition that can develop in some people after they experience trauma.