sprain

1 of 2

noun

ˈsprān 

1

: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments

2

: a sprained condition

sprain

2 of 2

verb

sprained; spraining; sprains

transitive verb

: to injure by a sudden or severe twist

Examples of sprain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Buttó hasn’t pitched since April after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot in his right arm, while Gage has been out since early July due to a left elbow sprain. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Campbell also provided an update on running back Isiah Pacheco, saying the free agent signee suffered an MCL sprain, but said the organization feels good about Pacheco being ready to go by the start of the regular season. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Buckeyes’ season-long starter Kyle McCord was already off to Syracuse, and his initial replacement, Devin Brown (now at Weber State), sprained his ankle in the second quarter. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The team also played without forward Cameron Brink, who sprained her ankle on Monday. — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1622, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sprain

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

sprain

1 of 2 noun

ˈsprān 

1

: a sudden or severe twisting of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments

2

: a condition that results from a sprain and is usually marked by pain and swelling

sprain

2 of 2 verb

: to injure by a sudden or severe twist

Medical Definition

sprain

1 of 2 noun

ˈsprān 

: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint causing the stretching or tearing of ligaments and often rupture of blood vessels with hemorrhage into the tissues

also : the condition resulting from a sprain that is usually marked by swelling, inflammation, hemorrhage, and discoloration compare strain entry 3 sense b

sprain

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to weaken (a joint or ligament) by sudden and violent twisting or wrenching : stretch (ligaments) injuriously without dislocation of the joint