herniate

verb

her·​ni·​ate ˈhər-nē-ˌāt 

herniated; herniating

intransitive verb

: to protrude through an abnormal body opening : rupture

a herniated intervertebral disc

herniation

ˌhər-nē-ˈā-shən 

noun

Examples of herniate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sarah Gaus, a 39-year-old German native who has chronic lower back pain after herniating two discs, participated in one of Vertanical’s clinical trials in 2023. — Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

The injury herniated two discs in his lower back and forced him into a four-year retirement at the absolute peak of his career. — Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025

The trio then treated a man named Spencer, whose lung had herniated out of his chest following a car accident. — Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 2 May 2025

His diaphragm had ruptured to such an extent that some of his liver and connective tissue were herniated and inside his chest cavity. — Li Cohen, CBS News, 15 June 2023

Astronauts are at least four times more likely to herniate a disc than the general population, according to a 2010 NASA study, particularly in the immediate aftermath of their arrival back on Earth. — Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2023

Discs herniate to varying degrees and locations and cause a wide variety of symptoms from minimal to debilitating. — Profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, 27 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

hernia + -ate entry 4

First Known Use

circa 1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for herniate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Medical Definition

herniate

intransitive verb

her·​ni·​ate ˈhər-nē-ˌāt 

herniated; herniating

: to protrude through an abnormal body opening : rupture

herniated intervertebral discs