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

However, color commentator Stu Holden said the potential conditions could play a major role on the pitch and could actually be a detriment to Argentina. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026

Odysseus is a determined warrior wanting to get home to his family as well as a leader whose poor decisions and needless cruelty are a detriment, especially to his fellow soldiers. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 July 2026

To the detriment, often, of other important stuff around you. — Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Without meaningful intervention, children are more likely to carry these chronic conditions into adulthood to their health detriment, risking progression to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other health problems. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 8 July 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