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noun Uncommon

concussion

kuhn-KUH-shuhn

Concussion (noun) means a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, usually causing temporary confusion or loss of consciousness. Example: “He was taken to hospital with a suspected concussion after the fall.”

noun
1
A brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, usually causing temporary confusion or loss of consciousness.
"He was taken to hospital with a suspected concussion after the fall."
"Doctors advised him to rest for a week to recover from the concussion."

How to use concussion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA head injury from a hard knock that leaves someone dazed or briefly unconscious.

Common pairings
suffer a concussion concussion protocol mild concussion

Word forms

concussions plural

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Test yourself on “concussion” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He was taken to hospital with a suspected _____ after the fall.

Etymology

From Latin concussio ("a violent shaking"), from concutere ("to shake violently").

Origin: Latin

head injury brain trauma

Rhymes for concussion

See all rhymes for concussion →

Frequently asked questions

What does “concussion” mean?

The word “concussion” means a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, usually causing temporary confusion or loss of consciousness. In plain terms, a head injury from a hard knock that leaves someone dazed or briefly unconscious.

How do you pronounce “concussion”?

“Concussion” is pronounced kuhn-KUH-shuhn (/kəŋkˈəʃɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “concussion” in a sentence?

Here is “concussion” used in a sentence: “He was taken to hospital with a suspected concussion after the fall.”

What part of speech is “concussion”?

“Concussion” is a noun.

Where does the word “concussion” come from?

The word “concussion” comes from Latin. From Latin concussio ("a violent shaking"), from concutere ("to shake violently").

Is “concussion” a common word?

“Concussion” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between a "concussion" and a "contusion"?

A "concussion" is a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, usually causing temporary confusion or loss of consciousness. A "contusion" is simply a bruise, which can occur on the brain or elsewhere on the body, and does not necessarily involve the same disruption of brain function as a concussion.

Can you have a concussion without losing consciousness?

Yes, a concussion can cause temporary confusion or loss of consciousness, but the definition does not require that a person actually pass out. Many concussions involve only confusion, disorientation, or other symptoms without any loss of consciousness at all.

What causes a concussion?

A concussion is caused by a blow or jolt to the head that jars the brain, which can happen from a fall, a collision in sports, or any impact affecting the head. This trauma disrupts normal brain function and usually leads to temporary confusion or loss of consciousness.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial