laceration
AmericanOther Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of laceration
First recorded in 1590–1600, laceration is from the Latin word lacerātiōn- (stem of lacerātiō ). See lacerate, -ion
Explanation
A laceration is a tear, cut, or gash. Your heart can also get a more figurative laceration when you see your love kissing another. Either way, ouch. A laceration implies that there is a tearing or jaggedness to the wound. A surgeon would not make a laceration on a patient, but an incision. Lacerations are reserved for things like barbed wire, errant nails, and fickle loves.
Vocabulary lists containing laceration
All American Boys
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The Kite Runner
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That Hurts! Synonyms for "Pain"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"He had a small laceration to his beak and one just on the left side of his body - but other than that, he was pretty much absolutely fine," she said.
From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025
However, Scott was forced off after three minutes in a separate incident to Beirne's red with a "laceration on his leg".
From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025
An agent who was inside one of the vehicles suffered a hand laceration, according to the complaint filed against Reyna.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025
Gerolsteiner Sparkling Water has been recalled "due to laceration hazard," as announced in a recall last week, which applies to over 60,000 bottles.
From Salon • Mar. 19, 2025
We had no shoes; we feared laceration, and walked with care.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
