injury

noun in·ju·ry \ ˈinj-rē , ˈin-jə- \

Definition of injury

plural injuries

1 a :an act that damages or hurts :wrong

b :violation of another's rights for which the law allows an action to recover damages

2 :hurt, damage, or loss sustained

See injury defined for English-language learners

See injury defined for kids

Examples of injury in a Sentence

Hikers need to take sensible precautions to prevent injury.
She's concerned about the risk of injury to her reputation.
The team has been weakened by illness and injury.
Careless use of these tools can cause serious bodily injury.
She survived the accident without injury.
She fell and suffered an injury to her arm.
His athletic career has been slowed by injuries.

Recent Examples of injury from the Web

Hurricane Harvey has put students in its path at a greater risk for symptoms of anxiety and depression than they’d otherwise be—not to mention illness and injury.

— hayley glatter, The Atlantic, "How Schoolchildren Will Cope With Hurricane Harvey," 30 Aug. 2017
Not immune to injury, Rivers sustained a knee-ligament tear that led to reconstructive surgery after the 2007 playoffs.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Healthy Rivers is grateful for another NFL season," 30 Aug. 2017
The Enquirer/Scott Springer ANDERSON TOWNSHIP - Nearly a year after a season-ending injury, McNicholas High School senior Cole Burdick returned to the football field for the Rockets Aug. 25 and ran off in victory.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Burdick back on McNicholas gridiron," 30 Aug. 2017
The Texas Prison Rodeo’s run came to an end in 1986, when the prison board in Austin finally pulled the plug, citing falling revenue and fears of injury lawsuits.

— mitchel p. roth, Smithsonian, "Desegregation Came Early at the Texas Prison Rodeo," 30 Aug. 2017
TV: SNY (Eamon McAnaney, Andy Gresh, Taylor Rooks) Radio: WTIC-AM 1080 AM (Joe D'Ambrosio, Wayne Norman, Ken Sweitzer) Injuries: Holy Cross — None reported.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "The Opener: Holy Cross (0-0) At UConn (0-0)," 30 Aug. 2017
Elijah Sindelar has taken most of the first-team snaps since Blough suffered his shoulder injury Aug. 12 during a closed scrimmage.

— mike carmin, The Courier-Journal, "Brohm still deciding on Purdue's starting quarterback," 28 Aug. 2017
At least five deaths and more than a dozen injuries have been blamed on the storm, which made landfall as a strong category four hurricane on Friday night.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Hurricane Harvey latest forecast: Texas National Guard activated; Trump responds; how to help," 28 Aug. 2017
No injuries were reported to the home’s occupant or the responding firefighters.

— staff report, The Aegis, "Fire guts Long Bar Harbor house Saturday," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'injury.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of injury

Middle English injurie, from Anglo-French, Latin injuria, from injurus injurious, from in- + jur-, jus right — more at just

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

injury Synonyms

Synonyms

affliction, damage, detriment, harm, hurt

Antonyms

equitableness, equity, fairness, justice

Related Words

disservice, injustice, outrage, wrong; affront, dart, indignity, insult, offense (or offence); beating, crippling, mayhem, mutilation; defacement, disability, disablement, disfigurement, impairment; lesion; rupture, strain; abrasion, chafe, scrape, scratch; boo-boo, bruise, contusion, swelling, wound; bump, concussion; cut, gash, laceration; burn, scald, scar, scathe, sear

Near Antonyms

healing, recovery; cure, fix, remedy

Synonym Discussion of injury

injustice, injury, wrong, grievance mean an act that inflicts undeserved hurt. injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

- the injustices suffered by the lower classes

injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

- libel constitutes a legal injury

wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

- determined to right society's wrongs

grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

- a list of employee grievances

INJURY Defined for English Language Learners

injury

noun

Definition of injury for English Language Learners

: harm or damage : an act or event that causes someone or something to no longer be fully healthy or in good condition

INJURY Defined for Kids

injury

noun in·ju·ry \ ˈin-jə-rē \

Definition of injury for Students

plural injuries

1 :hurt, damage, or loss suffered

She suffered an injury to her arm.

These tools can cause injury.

2 :an act that damages or hurts

“I should not like to do him an injury …”
—Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

Medical Dictionary

injury

noun in·ju·ry \ ˈinj-(ə-)rē \

medical Definition of injury

plural injuries

:hurt, damage, or loss sustained

Law Dictionary

injury

noun in·ju·ry

legal Definition of injury

plural injuries

1 :an act that wrongs or harms another; specifically :a violation of a legally protected interest (as the physical or mental well-being, property, reputation, or rights of another) for which the law allows an action for legal or equitable relief

2 :hurt, damage, or loss sustained