wrist

noun

ˈrist 

1

a

: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm

b

: the part of a vertebrate animal corresponding to the human wrist

2

: the part of a garment or glove covering the wrist

Examples of wrist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The reporting requirements are frequently ignored by members who, when caught, face a wrist-slap penalty of $200. —Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026

The doll also was given articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming, hand flapping and other gestures that some autistic people use to process sensory information or to express excitement, according to Mattel. —Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026

But what each of them had in common was an eye-catching quality that rendered the wrists of the nominees, presenters, and others at the awards show hard to take your eyes off. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2026

Unfortunately, California’s laws are more like gummy bears than bear traps, barely a slap on the wrist compared to federal and Florida anti-brokering laws that come with the threat of stiff financial penalties and serious prison time. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German rist wrist, ankle, Old English wrǣstan to twist — more at wrest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wrist

• slap on the wrist
• wrist pin
• wrist shot
• wrist wrestling

Rhymes for wrist

• cist
• cyst
• fist
• gist
• grist
• hissed
• kissed
• kist
• list
• missed
• mist
• schist

Kids Definition

wrist

noun

ˈrist 

: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm

also : a corresponding part of a lower animal

Medical Definition

wrist

noun

ˈrist 

: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm or a corresponding part on a lower animal