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
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Avila returns After a four-week absence from the starting lineup due to an ankle sprain, Rams left guard Steve Avila made his return on offense against the Ravens.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Center Daniel Gafford sprained his ankle in the Mavericks’ first practice of training camp and is expected to miss two to three weeks, coach Jason Kidd said.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprain
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
With star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb sidelined with a high-ankle sprain for the last three games, Dallas Cowboys newcomer George Pickens has ascended to the top of the team's leaderboard in receiving.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Avila returns After a four-week absence from the starting lineup due to an ankle sprain, Rams left guard Steve Avila made his return on offense against the Ravens.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Center Daniel Gafford sprained his ankle in the Mavericks’ first practice of training camp and is expected to miss two to three weeks, coach Jason Kidd said.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 2 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 20 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share