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

Miguel Rojas was playing through a lower-body injury that required hernia surgery. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

In 2023, he was admitted for nine days for surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair an abdominal hernia. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

In 2021, Peter died of complications from an untreated abdominal hernia at the age of 65. —John Russell, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025

The Belgian has struggled since his hernia injury in the first part of the season, either playing poorly in big games or being left out of them altogether. —Sam Lee, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

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