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
Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The 21-year-old Arkansas product, who had been out since late-December with a right MCL sprain, showcased hustle too – saving a ball from going out of bounds to set up a Timme layup on the other end.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Goggia had a few weeks to recover after spraining her left knee, partially tearing her ACL and suffering a minor fracture of the fibula bone in her leg, plus some tendon damage.
—Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprain
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Noun
LaVine, a two-time All-Star, has missed 17 games due to various injuries, including lower back soreness, a right thigh contusion, right thumb soreness and a left ankle sprain.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The 21-year-old Arkansas product, who had been out since late-December with a right MCL sprain, showcased hustle too – saving a ball from going out of bounds to set up a Timme layup on the other end.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
In 2023, Dru Smith landed awkwardly in that same gap and severely sprained his right ACL, costing him the rest of his season.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Goggia had a few weeks to recover after spraining her left knee, partially tearing her ACL and suffering a minor fracture of the fibula bone in her leg, plus some tendon damage.
—Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 7 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 19 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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