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

Examples of wrist 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.
Employee working with open food wearing jewelry on hand and wrist. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Finally, grab 12% off the Apple Watch Series 11 Smartwatch, bringing advanced health insights and a brilliant Retina display, right to your wrist. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Wearability is a defining USP of the brand, with Vanguart known to spend years developing their cases and straps to perfectly fit the wrist. — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026 Snapping open and shut the phone satisfied some deep, restless urge, and the same was true for the rotational flourish of the wrist involved in opening and closing the knife. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrist

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrist was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrist. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: 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

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

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