1
: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments
2
: a sprained condition
sprained; spraining; sprains
: to injure by a sudden or severe twist
Examples of sprain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reid Laymance, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
In addition to Wagner being ruled out Thursday afternoon, Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) was listed as doubtful on the team’s initial injury report.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Eric Koreen, New York Times, 4 May 2026
After missing Game 1 with a knee bruise, Durant sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and missed the next two games.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
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Noun
Durant, who is recovering from a left ankle sprain and bruised bone suffered in Game 2, has played in just one game in the series.
—Reid Laymance, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
In addition to Wagner being ruled out Thursday afternoon, Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) was listed as doubtful on the team’s initial injury report.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
By the time Sunday’s Game 7 loss was over, Jamal Shead, already standing in for an injured Immanuel Quickley, had sprained his ankle.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 4 May 2026
After missing Game 1 with a knee bruise, Durant sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and missed the next two games.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprain
Cite this Entry
“Sprain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprain. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sprain
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
: 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
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