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 Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
The guard suffered a severe foot sprain, which sidelined her for the entire offseason.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Our cul-de-sac crew has thrown out two backs, sprained at least two ankles and seen a couple cases of road rash.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
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Noun
To Suggs’ point, Friday’s play-in game that the Magic won by 31 points over the Hornets was only the eighth game back for forward Franz Wagner, who returned April 1 after missing 17 straight contests and 48 total in the regular season because of a high left ankle sprain.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
The guard suffered a severe foot sprain, which sidelined her for the entire offseason.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Michigan star, who is playing on a sprained left MCL and left ankle, which came during the win over Arizona in the Final Four, was just 1-of-5 shooting for four points in the first half.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Our cul-de-sac crew has thrown out two backs, sprained at least two ankles and seen a couple cases of road rash.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 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 20 Apr. 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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