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

Rollins made his return at the Elimination Chamber in February but found himself without either of his original adversaries available, with Breakker dealing with his hernia surgery and Reed sidelined by a torn bicep. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

The Thunder bench outscored the Knicks’ second unit, 25-13, and Miles McBride, in his first game back from a sports hernia surgery that sidelined him 28 games, suffered an injury and grabbed at his stomach before leaving the floor and going to the locker room in pain. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026

In that case, the estate of the late Faye Jean Robinson of Waterloo alleged that in May 2023, Chaudhry performed surgery on Robinson to repair a hernia and to remove her kidney and spleen. —Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Mar. 2026

Perron is a pending unrestricted free agent who is working his way back from sports hernia surgery, having last played in January. —Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 6 Mar. 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