wrist

noun

ˈrist How to pronounce wrist (audio)
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.
Heritage Auctions shared pictures of Skywalker’s prop that sold on July 15, showing the character’s hand, which was detached from the wrist, holding on to the lightsaber. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Circadian scores translate your body’s 24-hour internal clock into a daily readout, and a wave of rings, pendants and apps is racing to make that clock visible on your wrist. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 Ryan Gosling may be straight as an arrow, but Lionsgate just put his wrist through conversion therapy. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 July 2026 But when Dusty takes a tumble and aggravates his old wrist injury, that puts him out of the running. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 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

Phrases Containing wrist

Rhymes for wrist

See All Rhymes for wrist

Browse Nearby Words

Wrisberg's nerve
wrist
wristband
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrist. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wrist

noun
ˈrist How to pronounce wrist (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce wrist (audio)
: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm or a corresponding part on a lower animal

More from Merriam-Webster on wrist

Nglish: Translation of wrist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wrist

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