trauma
TRAW-muh
Trauma (noun) means a serious physical injury to the body. Example: “Head trauma is one of the main reasons cyclists are advised to wear helmets.”
noun
1
A serious physical injury to the body.
"Head trauma is one of the main reasons cyclists are advised to wear helmets."
"The hospital has a special unit for patients suffering severe trauma."
"The paramedics treated the patient for chest trauma after the crash."
2
Severe emotional or psychological distress caused by a disturbing experience.
"Many children who lived through the flood needed counselling to cope with the trauma."
"She never spoke about the trauma of the accident, even to close friends."
"The trauma of losing his home in the fire stayed with him for years."
How to use trauma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA serious injury — physical or emotional — caused by a harmful or deeply distressing event.
Common pairings
emotional trauma
childhood trauma
blunt trauma
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Word forms
- Plural
- traumas, traumata
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Head _____ is one of the main reasons cyclists are advised to wear helmets.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek trauma, "wound, damage."
Related words
Rhymes for trauma
See all rhymes for trauma →Frequently asked questions
What does “trauma” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “trauma”?
“Trauma” is pronounced TRAW-muh (/ˈtɹɔ.mə/ in IPA).
How do you use “trauma” in a sentence?
Here is “trauma” used in a sentence: “The paramedics treated the patient for chest trauma after the crash.”
What part of speech is “trauma”?
“Trauma” is a noun.
Where does the word “trauma” come from?
The word “trauma” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek trauma, "wound, damage.".
Is “trauma” a common word?
“Trauma” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “trauma” have?
“Trauma” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a serious physical injury to the body.
What is the difference between physical trauma and emotional trauma?
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.
What is the difference between trauma and stress?
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.
What is the plural of trauma?
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.
What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?
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.
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