sprain

1 of 2

noun

ˈsprān 

1

: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments

2

: a sprained condition

sprain

2 of 2

verb

sprained; spraining; sprains

transitive verb

: to injure by a sudden or severe twist

Examples of sprain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On top of that, Orlando will still be without Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) at Atlanta. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026

Quinten Post was questionable with an ankle sprain, but joined the starting lineup. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026

Verb

Kawhi Leonard, arguably the NBA’s best player over the past three months, sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s loss to the Sacramento Kings. —Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026

Dent strained his calf in the first half against Purdue on Saturday, while Bilodeau sprained his knee in the first half against Michigan State on Friday. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1622, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sprain

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

sprain

1 of 2 noun

ˈsprān 

1

: 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

ˈsprān 

: 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