injury

noun in·ju·ry \ ˈinj-rē , ˈin-jə- \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: injury in a Sentence

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

Markkanen isn't as far along as pre-injury Porzingis, and Wendell Carter Jr. is still 19 years old.

— andrew sharp, SI.com, "Kevin Knox, Wendell Carter Jr., and Midsummer Hope for the Knicks and Bulls," 13 July 2018
The other migrants, including young children and women, one of whom reportedly had an injury, were then allowed down the gangway and taken to a center for identification.

— Washington Post, "Rescued migrants questioned in Sicily about alleged threats," 13 July 2018
This is the over/under for the match and includes only the first 90 minutes plus injury time.

— ed barkowitz, Philly.com, "Atlantic City bookies offer odds and props for Sunday's World Cup final between France and Croatia," 13 July 2018
The driver’s injuries were not life-threatening and he was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment, West Hartford police Lt.

— david owens, courant.com, "Teen Hurt In Crash On New Britain Avenue In West Hartford," 13 July 2018
Both men were taken to area hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening, Elow said.

— lucas phillips, BostonGlobe.com, "Two men shot in Cambridge Saturday morning an hour apart," 14 July 2018
Both the driving officer and a civilian passenger sustained minor injuries in the crash.

— bree burkitt, azcentral, "Former Navajo Nation police officer sentenced to 16 years in prison for fatal DUI crash," 14 July 2018
There were no injuries after a home in the 100 block of North State Street in Aurora was hit by gunfire.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Home hit by gunfire in Aurora," 14 July 2018
Pools That source of summer fun is also the site of many injuries and fatalities in the United States.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

injury Synonyms

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