turf toe

noun

Updated on: 6 Apr 2018

Definition of turf toe

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury typically involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligaments at the joint between the metatarsal and basal phalanx

Recent Examples of turf toe from the Web

Webster says his son suffered a cracked bone one foot and a back injury, while dealing with turf toe and cramping issues.

— greg bishop, SI.com, "Malik Newman's March Metamorphosis Was Only a Matter of Time," 30 Mar. 2018
But turf toe sidelined Fluker for the final six games of the season.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "D.J. Fluker changes teams in NFL free agency," 20 Mar. 2018
The senior guard hasn't been at 100% while dealing with a turf toe injury, but he's been a warrior and the spark plug during the Red Raiders' advancement.

— scott gleeson, USA TODAY, "NCAA tournament Sweet 16: Most important players for every March Madness team," 20 Mar. 2018
Star senior Keenan Evans enters the tournament at less than 100% after mid-February turf toe issues, and Texas Tech’s ability to support its stellar defense with offensive production takes a big hit when Evans isn’t right.

— eric single, SI.com, "Six Top-Seeded Teams in the Most Danger of Losing Early in the 2018 NCAA Tournament," 13 Mar. 2018
Deion Sanders famously suffered a turf toe injury during the 1998 seasons that hobbled him in his final year and a half with the Cowboys, and despite multiple surgeries, Primetime still can’t feel one of his toes on his left foot.

— nick schwartz, For The Win, "Deion Sanders shows off the horrific damage football did to his toe," 1 Feb. 2018
Despite dealing with a severe case of turf toe throughout the month of December, Jefferson trotted out for pregame warm-ups in hopes of playing one final time with his teammates in the Texas Bowl.

— nick moyle, Houston Chronicle, "Texas star LB Malik Jefferson declares for NFL draft," 31 Dec. 2017
Still uncertain is the status of junior linebacker Malik Jefferson, a second-team All-American who has a turf toe injury.

— USA TODAY, "Texas suspends three players from Texas Bowl for rules violation," 22 Dec. 2017
Junior linebacker Malik Jefferson was contemplating to play or not to play, and a case of turf toe will likely make the decision for him.

— jeff caplan, star-telegram, "Doh! At least punter will play in bowl game for depleted Longhorns | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 22 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turf toe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of turf toe

from the occurrence of the injury among athletes who play on artificial turf

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1981

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

turf toe

noun \ ˈtərf- \

medical Definition of turf toe

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligament of the metatarsophalangeal joint