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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her wrists were bandaged and a sterile pad was placed on her neck, Dougherty said. Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 His emotions — and that sticky goo in his wrists — are about to burst. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Joint pain — another check mark on your menopause symptom bingo card — started flaring in her wrists, making her backhand go haywire. Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 30 July 2026 The wrist’s smaller, more delicate components are on their own. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrist

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrist was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrist. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

: 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

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

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