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
Patrick Saunders, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2024
Manager Brandon Hyde said Bradish (ulnar collateral ligament sprain) will make his first rehab start next week in either Aberdeen or Double-A Bowie, putting him on track for a return sometime in May.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sprain 
Noun
Suffered a right ankle sprain on Sept. 22 and missed the remainder of the season.
2020#: On the IL from Aug. 19-Sept. 1 with a left ring finger sprain suffered on Aug. 12 while attempting a diving catch in left field.
—Patrick Saunders, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2024
Manager Brandon Hyde said Bradish (ulnar collateral ligament sprain) will make his first rehab start next week in either Aberdeen or Double-A Bowie, putting him on track for a return sometime in May.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sprain
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sprain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sprain
Cite this Entry
“Sprain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprain. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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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