turf toe

noun

: 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

Examples of turf toe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Since quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a significant turf toe injury in the second quarter of the Bengals’ Week 2 win over the Jaguars, backup quarterback Jake Browning and the Cincinnati offense have been dreadful. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 Still, Flacco is a longtime veteran who can provide the kind of spark the Bengals need to keep their losses manageable while Burrow recovers from his turf toe injury. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 During a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the quarterback suffered turf toe, benching him for the foreseeable future. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 Purdy, clearly hobbled by the sorta-kinda-turf toe that sidelined him for two games, was sailing passes all afternoon. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turf toe

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turf toe was in 1981

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turf toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turf%20toe. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

turf toe

noun
: 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
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