sprain

1 of 2

noun

1
: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments
2
: a sprained condition

sprain

2 of 2

verb

sprained; spraining; sprains

transitive verb

: to injure by a sudden or severe twist

Examples of sprain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Defensive captain DeForest Buckner suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 Despite fighting to the finish in the injury absence of Jimmy Butler, who missed a second consecutive game with an ankle sprain. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Toto was even injured when an actor playing a Winkie guard stepped on its paw and sprained it. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024 Teammate Tyler Shirley appeared to sprain an ankle in the first half. Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sprain 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1622, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprain was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near sprain

Cite this Entry

“Sprain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprain. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sprain

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on sprain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!