wrist

noun

ˈrist 

1

a

: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm

b

: the part of a vertebrate animal corresponding to the human wrist

2

: the part of a garment or glove covering the wrist

see also:

break one's wrists slap on the wrist

Examples of wrist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the morning of drop-off day, Kat asks Gen to check in with Joy about some plates that need to be put away, a task that does not require the use of one’s wrist. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Beauty and precision on your wrist by this masterful Swiss maker, who spent years handling the most complicated, precious pieces at Patek Philippe—the OG along with Voutilainen, Dufour, and Smith. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

The four-point restraint places the inmate on a bed, where their wrists and ankles are tied tightly to all four corners of the bed. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

With each heartbeat, the amount of blood flowing through the vessels in your wrist changes. — Jason Kostrna, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German rist wrist, ankle, Old English wrǣstan to twist — more at wrest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wrist

• slap on the wrist
• wrist pin
• wrist shot
• wrist wrestling

Rhymes for wrist

• cist
• cyst
• didst
• fist
• gist
• grist
• hissed
• kissed
• kist
• list
• missed
• mist

Kids Definition

wrist

noun

ˈrist 

: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm

also : a corresponding part of a lower animal

Medical Definition

wrist

noun

ˈrist 

: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm or a corresponding part on a lower animal