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

Earlier in the day, the Marlins were dealt another blow to their rotation when it was announced that top prospect Thomas White is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left shoulder capsular sprain last month. —Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026

The Bombers had a busy live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, as Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Domínguez (AC joint sprain) hit against Angel Chivilli (shoulder). —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026

Verb

Extra innings The Red Sox had no updates on Roman Anthony (sprained right hand) or Garrett Crochet (left shoulder inflammation). —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026

Hold onto your bonnet because there are enough dashing men on horseback, rainy meet-cutes, and sprained ankles to fill the Jacob Elordi-sized hole in your streaming queue. —Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 3 June 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