detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

1

: injury, damage

did hard work without detriment to their health

He puts all his time into his career to the detriment of [= in a way that is harmful to] his personal life.

2

: a cause of injury or damage

a detriment to progress

Synonyms of detriment

• harm
• damage
• injury

Examples of detriment in a Sentence

opponents of casino gambling claim that it is a detriment to society at large

the requirement that runners wear shoes for the race worked to his detriment since he was used to running barefoot

Recent Examples on the Web

Chapek saw Disney’s existing passholder program as a detriment to the company’s bottom line, standing in the way of higher-value customers. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

To Kim’s detriment, that would only embolden elites to turn against him. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

The unions argue for the necessary human element of all forms of writing, honing in particularly on news (which is one of the major cruxes of this case), before expanding to explain a more widespread detriment. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026

Musk factor in race could cut either way Whether Musk will be a boon or detriment to Gober's campaign remains to be seen. — Lora Kolodny,dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dētrīmentum "reduction in quantity, diminishment, harm, damage," from dētrī-, variant stem of dēterere "to wear away, rub off, lessen, impair" + -mentum -ment — more at detritus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing detriment

• to one's detriment
• without detriment to

Kids Definition

detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

: injury or damage or its cause

Legal Definition

detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

1

: injury, loss

also : the cause of an injury or loss

2

: a giving up of a thing or mode of conduct to which one is entitled that constitutes consideration for a contract

called also legal detriment

detrimental

ˌde-trə-ˈmen-təl 

adjective

detrimentally adverb