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

Push them both overhead, keeping your elbows close to your ears and your wrists stacked over your shoulders. —Will Stone, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026

The state defines switchblades as knives with blades 2 inches or longer that open automatically by the flick of a button, flip of the wrist, pressure on the handle or by gravity. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

The broken wrist was a freak accident, but those happen in other sports, too. —Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026

The jacket featured an oversize design with wide long sleeves and it was belted around the waist and around the wrists with a gold buckle. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 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