Wound: meaning, definitions and examples

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wound

[wuːnd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.

Synonyms

injury, lesion, trauma.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wound	This term is often used to describe a cut or break in the skin, typically caused by a sharp object or external force. It can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional pain. He received a deep wound on his arm from the knife. She has an emotional wound from her past experiences.
injury	This term is broad and can refer to any physical harm to the body, usually caused by an accident or impact. It can encompass wounds, fractures, burns, etc. The athlete suffered a knee injury during the game. She has a minor injury on her forehead.
lesion	This term is mostly used in medical contexts to describe damage or abnormality in tissue, usually inside the body. Lesions can be the result of disease or trauma. The MRI revealed a lesion in the brain. He has a skin lesion that needs to be examined by a dermatologist.
trauma	This term refers to severe bodily or emotional shock caused by an injury or extremely distressing experience. It often implies long-term impact. The car accident was a major trauma for him. She experienced emotional trauma after the disaster.

Examples of usage

He died of his wounds.
She suffered severe head wounds in the accident.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

medical

Cause an injury to (living tissue) by a cut, blow, or other impact.

Synonyms

damage, harm, injure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wound	Refers to a physical injury, usually involving a cut or break in the skin. It can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional pain. The soldier had a severe wound on his leg. Her harsh words left a deep wound in his heart.
injure	Typically used to describe physical harm caused to a person or animal. It implies a mishap or accident. He injured his knee while playing football. The dog was injured in the car accident.
harm	A general term for causing injury, damage, or negative effects on someone or something. It can refer to both physical and emotional pain. Smoking can cause serious harm to your health. The scandal did a lot of harm to the company's image.
damage	Commonly used to refer to the harm caused to objects, infrastructure, or reputation. It's not typically used for living beings. The storm caused significant damage to the buildings. His careless actions have done irreparable damage to his reputation.

Examples of usage

He was badly wounded in the attack.
The animal was wounded by a hunter.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'wound' comes from the Old English word 'wund,' which means 'to injure.'
Wounded can also refer to past tense, as in something that has already been hurt.
In different contexts, the same word can describe both a physical injury and emotional pain.

Medicine

Proper cleaning and dressing are vital for wounds to prevent infection and promote healing.
Deep wounds may require stitches, which help bring the edges of the skin together for better recovery.
A wound's healing process goes through several stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.

Psychology

Emotional wounds can take longer to heal than physical injuries and may require support, such as counseling.
The concept of 'emotional wounds' reflects the impact of trauma on mental health and behavior.
Many coping strategies can help heal emotional wounds, including talking about feelings and practicing self-care.

Pop Culture

Many songs and movies explore the theme of healing from emotional wounds, emphasizing resilience.
In literature, characters often face and overcome both physical and emotional wounds, showcasing personal growth.
The phrase 'wounded pride' describes a type of emotional hurt often depicted in stories involving honor and conflict.

History

Throughout history, battlefield medicine has advanced significantly, changing how wounds are treated in war.
In ancient times, herbal remedies were commonly used to treat wounds before modern medicine emerged.
The study of wounds and their healing has also shaped advancements in surgical practices over time.

Translations

Translations of the word "wound" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ferida

🇮🇳 घाव

🇩🇪 Wunde

🇮🇩 luka

🇺🇦 рана

🇵🇱 rana

🇯🇵 傷

🇫🇷 blessure

🇪🇸 herida

🇹🇷 yaralanma

🇰🇷 상처

🇸🇦 جرح

🇨🇿 rána

🇸🇰 rána

🇨🇳 伤口

🇸🇮 rana

🇮🇸 sár

🇰🇿 жара

🇬🇪 დაზიანება

🇦🇿 yaralanma

🇲🇽 herida

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,228, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3225 availability
3226 particle
3227 buried
3228 wound
3229 harm
3230 scientists
3231 dramatic
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