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noun

hematoma

hee-muh-TOH-muh

Hematoma (noun) means a swollen, bruise-like lump caused by blood pooling outside a broken blood vessel. Example: “He developed a large hematoma on his shin after banging it against the coffee table.”

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noun
1
A swollen, bruise-like lump caused by blood pooling outside a broken blood vessel.
"He developed a large hematoma on his shin after banging it against the coffee table."
"The scan showed a small hematoma that the doctors expected to reabsorb on its own."

How to use hematoma

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pooling of blood under the skin from a broken vessel — basically a deep, swollen bruise.

Common mistake

Not the same as a simple bruise (contusion); a hematoma involves a distinct pocket or lump of collected blood, not just discoloration.

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Word forms

hematomas plural, hematomata plural

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He developed a large _____ on his shin after banging it against the coffee table.

Etymology

From Greek haima ("blood") plus the medical suffix -oma, which usually marks a tumor or growth — hematoma is one of the rare exceptions where -oma doesn't mean cancer.

Origin: Greek

Related words

Rhymes for hematoma

See all rhymes for hematoma →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hematoma” mean?

The word “hematoma” means a swollen, bruise-like lump caused by blood pooling outside a broken blood vessel. In plain terms, a pooling of blood under the skin from a broken vessel — basically a deep, swollen bruise.

How do you pronounce “hematoma”?

“Hematoma” is pronounced hee-muh-TOH-muh (/ˌhiməˈtoʊmə/ in IPA).

How do you use “hematoma” in a sentence?

Here is “hematoma” used in a sentence: “He developed a large hematoma on his shin after banging it against the coffee table.”

What part of speech is “hematoma”?

“Hematoma” is a noun.

Where does the word “hematoma” come from?

The word “hematoma” comes from Greek. From Greek haima ("blood") plus the medical suffix -oma, which usually marks a tumor or growth — hematoma is one of the rare exceptions where -oma doesn't mean cancer.

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