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

And Americans already struggling with high prices have paid these tariffs to their detriment. —Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026

During this retrograde, Mercury will transit in the sign of Pisces where astrologers ascertain it to be in both its detriment and fall – meaning that Mercurial topics like data and analysis don't excel as much in a sign known for emotions and abstraction. —Carlie Procell, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026

On the consumer side, the app offers consumers exclusive dining experiences and rewards to help consumers save money and try new restaurants with no detriment to the restaurant. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026

Stricklen said the new neighbor would not be a visual detriment since the rooftop view will be from the Indiana Avenue side of the center and the new development is southeast of the Walker. —Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 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