pain

noun

\ˈpān

Definition of pain

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : punishment the pains and penalties of crime

2a : usually localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (such as a disease or an injury) the pain of a twisted ankle also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leading to evasive action the pain of bee stings

b : acute mental or emotional distress or suffering : grief the pain she had felt at those humiliating words— Morley Callaghan

3 pains plural : the throes of childbirth

4 pains plural : trouble, care, or effort taken to accomplish something was at pains to reassure us

5 : one that irks or annoys or is otherwise troublesome —often used in such phrases as pain in the neck His little sister is a real pain in the neck.

on pain of or under pain of

: subject to penalty or punishment of made to leave the country on pain of death

pain

verb

pained; paining; pains

Definition of pain (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make suffer or cause distress to : hurt

2 archaic : to put (oneself) to trouble or exertion

intransitive verb

1 archaic : suffer

2 : to give or have a sensation of pain

Other Words from pain Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about pain

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Examples of pain in a Sentence

Noun

The medication may upset your stomach but if you experience acute abdominal pain call your doctor. I've had chronic back pain since the accident. The medicine provides 12 hours of pain relief. I feel a dull pain if I touch the bruise. the pain of a difficult childhood It is a story about the joys and pains of life. Rush hour traffic is such a pain. This orange is a pain to peel.

Verb

As much as it pains me to admit it, she was right. my poor head was paining so from all that racket

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

When the paddy fields dry, the clay soil is soft and spongy, a comfortable surface that eliminates end-of- day pain and fatigue. — Rene Wisely, Detroit Free Press, "Kybun Joya Shoes, sports collectibles, sushi, whiskey fill downtowns," 9 July 2018 Police said the other driver, Jason R. Affolter, 42, Akron, Ohio, was complaining of pain in his neck and also received medical attention, before being transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital. — Dwight Adams, Indianapolis Star, "3 children among 5 injured in head-on crash in Johnson County," 1 July 2018 Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid prescribed legally for pain relief. — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, "Two Alameda County sheriff’s investigators survive potentially lethal fentanyl exposure," 26 June 2018 The settlement represents damages for his own pain and suffering during the three days at the mental health complex. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mother opposes father's share of settlement in son's death at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex," 6 July 2018 Her life is almost nothing besides this desperate, headlong attempt to outlast her own pain. — Sonia Saraiya, HWD, "Sharp Objects Is Stunning, Raw, and Violently Beautiful," 5 July 2018 There is great heartbreak in the correspondence of this heroic fellow Cancer (much of which has never been published before), but alongside that pain is extraordinary, inspiring strength. — Mary Sollosi, EW.com, "Your July pop culture horoscope revealed: Whitney Houston, Comic-Con, and Sharp Objects," 29 June 2018 This is their story and a recognition of their pain and contributions. — Sarah Mupo, STAT, "The 39 best health and science books to read this summer," 25 June 2018 And yes, sometimes the truth is painful (often it’s painful) but pain is also a catalyst. — Anna Pulley, RedEye Chicago, "Ask Anna: My married best friend has fallen in love with me," 25 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

And while Kerr was more than happy to be part of the tribute, the reality that these sorts of tributes are becoming so commonplace pains him. — Sam Amick, USA TODAY, "Steve Kerr on Rockets' Santa Fe shooting tribute: 'Agonizing' that it will happen again," 24 May 2018 But what pains her even more is that the party that claims black women are its backbone is also undermining them. — Terrell Jermaine Starr, The Root, "The Progressive Revolution Is Being Led by a Black Woman," 10 Apr. 2018 Wenger also revealed how much each defeat pains him, calling every loss a 'scar'. — SI.com, "Arsene Wenger Indicates Arsenal May Not Be the Last Club He Manages," 28 Mar. 2018 American gynecology was borne from these practices, and its damaging effects still permeates in the false belief that Black women don't experience pain the ways other women do. — Jenn M. Jackson, Teen Vogue, "Black Women Are Not Your Superheroes," 9 July 2018 Ellie was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at just 4 months, which made chemo, hospital visits and pain constant variables in the child's short life. — Sarah Schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Heartbroken Mom Posts Photo of Her Daughter's Car Seat As She Brings Home Her Ashes," 20 Mar. 2017 While the thought of never getting to know Mason pains Brittani, the image left her somewhat at ease, realizing that Mason's sister was already protecting him. — Marlisse Cepeda, Woman's Day, "Incredible Sonogram Photo Shows Unborn Child Holding Her Dying Twin's Hand," 17 Feb. 2016 Acid Trip Stein’s accidental late-’80s discovery of a connection between analgesia and inflammation opened a new pathway to pain treatment. — Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, "Building a Better Painkiller," 11 May 2018 But without the medications, her medical marijuana provider told her there was a different path to pain free. — Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, "Medical marijuana budtenders will be in high demand when Michigan market debuts," 30 Mar. 2018

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

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More Definitions for pain

pain

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pain

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the physical feeling caused by disease, injury, or something that hurts the body

: mental or emotional suffering : sadness caused by some emotional or mental problem

: someone or something that causes trouble or makes you feel annoyed or angry

pain

verb

English Language Learners Definition of pain (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cause (someone) to feel emotional pain : to make (someone) upset, sad, worried, etc.

See the full definition for pain in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pain

noun

\ˈpān

Kids Definition of pain

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : physical suffering that accompanies a bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury) The medicine relieves pain.

2 : a very unpleasant feeling (as a prick or an ache) that is caused especially by something harmful I have a pain in my side.

3 : suffering of the mind or emotions : grief The humiliation brought her great pain.

4 pains plural : great care or effort My sister took pains with the garden.

5 : someone or something annoying

Other Words from pain

painful \ˈpān-fəl \ adjective

painfully \-fə-lē \ adverb

painless \-ləs \ adjective

pain

verb

pained; paining

Kids Definition of pain (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to cause physical or mental suffering in or to It pains me to think of it.

2 : to give or feel physical or mental suffering The suckers, which were fastened to me and pained greatly, lessened their hold.— Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins

pain

noun

\ˈpān

Medical Definition of pain

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a state of physical, emotional, or mental lack of well-being or physical, emotional, or mental uneasiness that ranges from mild discomfort or dull distress to acute often unbearable agony, may be generalized or localized, and is the consequence of being injured or hurt physically or mentally or of some derangement of or lack of equilibrium in the physical or mental functions (as through disease), and that usually produces a reaction of wanting to avoid, escape, or destroy the causative factor and its effects was in constant pain

b : a basic bodily sensation that is induced by a noxious stimulus, is received by naked nerve endings, is characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leads to evasive action

2 pains plural : the protracted series of involuntary contractions of the uterine musculature that constitute the major factor in parturient labor and that are often accompanied by considerable pain her pains had begun