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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
When Lamb was out with a high-ankle sprain for three games, George Pickens did more than step up.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
After the series, ESPN reported James sprained his MCL in his left knee during the Game 5 loss.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
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Noun
Best to not rush Young back from what has been reported in numerous places (but by NFL Network first) as a high-ankle sprain, which is usually a 2-4 week recovery.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
When Lamb was out with a high-ankle sprain for three games, George Pickens did more than step up.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
Ware, who was available Wednesday despite spraining his ankle in practice Tuesday, totaled seven points, four rebounds, one steal and one block in his limited minutes in the opener.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
After the series, ESPN reported James sprained his MCL in his left knee during the Game 5 loss.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprain
Cite this Entry
“Sprain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprain. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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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