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

That’s coming off a 2024-25 season nearly lost entirely to groin and sports hernia surgeries. —Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Promptly after the end of the season, Eovaldi underwent surgery to repair a bilateral sports hernia. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026

Tkachuk — who had surgery to repair a torn adductor and sports hernia over the summer, about two months after helping the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup — went through morning skate on Monday and was added to the lineup for Florida’s game against San Jose that night. —Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026

Tkachuk - who had surgery to repair a torn adductor and sports hernia over the summer, about two months after helping the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup - went through morning skate on Monday and was added to the lineup for Florida's game against San Jose that night. —CBS News, 19 Jan. 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