convulsion

UK: /kənˈvʌlʃ^ən/ US: /kənˈvʌlʃən/ ,(kən vul′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•vul•sion /kənˈvʌlʃən/   n. 

1. Pathology an act or instance of convulsing:
   [countable] Her disease caused her to suffer convulsions.
2. violent agitation or disturbance:
   [uncountable] The country was thrown into a state of convulsion.
3. [countable] an outburst of laughter.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•vul•sion  (kən vul′shən), n. 

1. Pathology contortion of the body caused by violent, involuntary muscular contractions of the extremities, trunk, and head.
2. violent agitation or disturbance;
   commotion.
3. an outburst of great, uncontrollable laughter.

• Latin convulsiōn- (stem of convulsiō). See convulse, -ion
• 1575–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

convulsion / kənˈvʌlʃən/ noun

1. a violent involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles
2. a violent upheaval, disturbance, or agitation, esp a social one
3. (usually plural) uncontrollable laughter: I was in convulsions