heal

verb

healed; healing; heals

transitive verb

1
a
: to make free from injury or disease : to make sound or whole
heal a wound
b
: to make well again : to restore to health
heal the sick
2
a
: to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome : mend
the troubles … had not been forgotten, but they had been healedWilliam Power
b
: to patch up or correct (a breach or division)
heal a breach between friends
3
: to restore to original purity or integrity
healed of sin

intransitive verb

: to become free from injury or disease : to return to a sound state
The cut has already healed.

Examples of heal in a Sentence

You've got to give the injury time to heal. After the divorce, he needed some time to heal. The ointment will help heal the wound.
Recent Examples on the Web On top of helping heal the children through his work with Disney, Saadiq is also helping heal the community’s relationship with country music through his other recent venture – Beyoncé’s boundary-breaking Cowboy Carter country album. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024 Virgos may find a trip to a healing center an ideal reprieve from everyday life, especially one that has a rigorous schedule. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Even its supporters acknowledge that Washington may struggle to sustain the decades-long effort that some distressed areas would require to heal. Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 While some relationship have taken steps to heal, some bridges will never be mended on season 11 of Vanderpump Rules. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 While that is all true, housing doesn’t feel like it’s recovered, even if there are healing signs. Alena Botros, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 Rabin, who is a neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and expert in psychedelics, spoke with Robb Report’s deputy editor Josh Condon at House of Robb during Austin’s South by Southwest about how Apollo Neuro’s wristband can help heal trauma. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 This property, tucked between the otherworldly cliffs along the Ojo Caliente River, boasts one of the country's only thermal springs with four healing minerals: lithia, soda, arsenic, and iron. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 Tomatillo Tortilla Soup For a dish that is lighter than Mexican soups like menudo or pozole, but with the same healing proprieties try Sally Schmitt’s famous tomatillo tortilla soup. Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English helen, from Old English hǣlan; akin to Old High German heilen to heal, Old English hāl whole — more at whole

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heal was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near heal

Cite this Entry

“Heal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heal

verb
: to make or become healthy or whole
heal the sick
a cut that heals slowly

Medical Definition

heal

transitive verb
1
: to make sound or whole especially in bodily condition
2
: to cure of disease or disorder
heal injured tissues

intransitive verb

1
: to return to a sound state
the wound heals
2
: to effect a cure
healer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on heal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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