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
Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Not only was Orlando at a rest disadvantage playing on the second night of a back-to-back at Los Angeles, but Jamahl Mosley‘s squad was also without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jalen Suggs (back spasms) for a second game in a row.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Janis Carr, Oc Register, 19 Feb. 2026
Gafford left in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to the Lakers because of right ankle soreness and Martin sprained his left ankle against the Suns.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
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Noun
Leonard exited Friday’s loss against the Lakers with an ankle sprain.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Not only was Orlando at a rest disadvantage playing on the second night of a back-to-back at Los Angeles, but Jamahl Mosley‘s squad was also without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jalen Suggs (back spasms) for a second game in a row.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Earlier this season, Garland had surgery on his left big toe and then sprained the right big toe, which continues to give him problems, delaying his Clippers’ debut.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 19 Feb. 2026
Gafford left in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to the Lakers because of right ankle soreness and Martin sprained his left ankle against the Suns.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 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 27 Feb. 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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