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, 9 Jan. 2026
Boston ruled Minott out for its matchup against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden with a left ankle sprain.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Ryan Kalkbrenner also missed his fifth straight game, leaving the Hornets shorthanded since Miles Bridges couldn’t go after spraining his right ankle in Monday’s loss to Milwaukee.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprain
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Noun
This week marked four weeks since Franz Wagner suffered a left high ankle sprain and one year since older brother Moe Wagner, underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Boston ruled Minott out for its matchup against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden with a left ankle sprain.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Bulls also said center Zach Collins (sprained right toe) will be reevaluated in 10 days.
—CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Ryan Kalkbrenner also missed his fifth straight game, leaving the Hornets shorthanded since Miles Bridges couldn’t go after spraining his right ankle in Monday’s loss to Milwaukee.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 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 10 Jan. 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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