1
: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments
2
: a sprained condition
sprained; spraining; sprains
: to injure by a sudden or severe twist
Examples of sprain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Wagner, who has already missed 48 games due to a left high ankle sprain, was able to walk off the court on his own power and head straight to the locker room.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Our cul-de-sac crew has thrown out two backs, sprained at least two ankles and seen a couple cases of road rash.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
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Noun
Up and down rosters everywhere, nicks, bruises, tears, strains and sprains continue wreaking havoc on our fantasy rosters.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Wagner, who has already missed 48 games due to a left high ankle sprain, was able to walk off the court on his own power and head straight to the locker room.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Michigan star, who is playing on a sprained left MCL and left ankle, which came during the win over Arizona in the Final Four, was just 1-of-5 shooting for four points in the first half.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Our cul-de-sac crew has thrown out two backs, sprained at least two ankles and seen a couple cases of road rash.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprain
Cite this Entry
“Sprain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprain. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sprain
1 of 2 noun1
: a sudden or severe twisting of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments
2
: a condition that results from a sprain and is usually marked by pain and swelling
sprain
2 of 2 verb
: to injure by a sudden or severe twist
Medical Definition
sprain
1 of 2 noun
: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint causing the stretching or tearing of ligaments and often rupture of blood vessels with hemorrhage into the tissues
also
: the condition resulting from a sprain that is usually marked by swelling, inflammation, hemorrhage, and discoloration compare strain entry 3 sense b
sprain
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to weaken (a joint or ligament) by sudden and violent twisting or wrenching : stretch (ligaments) injuriously without dislocation of the joint
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