sprain

1 of 2

noun

ˈsprān How to pronounce sprain (audio)
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
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.
Noun
The club also provided an update on shortstop Willy Adames, who sustained a moderate sprain to his left elbow on a slide into the plate Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Shortstop Willy Adames injured his left elbow sliding into home plate on Sunday, and was diagnosed with a left UCL sprain. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
Whisenhunt sprained his left elbow in 2023 but was able to rehab the injury without undergoing surgery. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The Nationals played without All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, who sprained his left ankle on Wednesday and is day-to-day. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sprain

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprain was in 1601

Rhymes for sprain

See All Rhymes for sprain

Browse Nearby Words

Sprague's pipit
sprain
spraing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sprain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprain. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sprain

1 of 2 noun
ˈsprān How to pronounce sprain (audio)
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 How to pronounce sprain (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on sprain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sprain

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