sprain

1 of 2

noun

ˈsprān 

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

Noun

Mooney shared 50 runs off 28 balls for the opening wicket with Georgia Voll (17) and 101 off 55 with Ash Gardner (58), who returned from an ankle sprain. —ABC News, 20 June 2026

Witt, who suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain on Thursday, seemed to be moving fine, which should be a relief. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026

Verb

The team also played without forward Cameron Brink, who sprained her ankle on Monday. —Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Yes, the Giants have jumped off the treadmill of mediocrity and subsequently sprained both ankles. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 June 2026

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

Rhymes for sprain

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

sprain

1 of 2 noun

ˈsprān 

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

ˈsprān 

: 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