hernia

noun

her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə 

plural hernias or herniae ˈhər-nē-ˌē  -nē-ˌī 

: a protrusion of an organ or part (such as the intestine) through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity (as of the abdomen) in which it is normally enclosed

called also rupture

hernial

ˈhər-nē-əl 

adjective

Examples of hernia in a Sentence

He was treated for hernia.

Recent Examples on the Web

DeLuca is the second outfielder injured in the last week, as veteran Jake Fraley sustained a hernia that required surgery and will miss six to eight weeks. —Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026

Polen is also investing heavily in technologies that will help bodies regrow natural tissue, replacing the need for plastic mesh or implants after hernia surgeries or mastectomies. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 22 May 2026

And John Whitaker, the Briton who made his name with the legendary Milton in the early 1990s, is still competing with younger riders in show jumping at the age of 70, even after a hernia operation at the start of the year. —Danielle Rossingh, New York Times, 21 May 2026

For example, Michigan Medicine said Blue Cross denied a referral for a patient who needs a kidney transplant and for a 9-year-old in need of surgery to repair a hernia. —Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hernia, hernie, hirnia, borrowed from Latin hernia, hirnia, of uncertain origin

Note: See note at haruspex.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hernia

• hiatal hernia

Kids Definition

hernia

noun

her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə 

plural hernias or herniae -nē-ˌē 

-nē-ˌī

: a sticking out of an organ or part through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed

called also rupture

Medical Definition

hernia

noun

her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə 

plural hernias or herniae -nē-ˌē  -nē-ˌī 

: a protrusion of an organ or part through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed

called also rupture

see abdominal hernia, hiatal hernia, strangulated hernia

hernial

-nē-əl 

adjective