hernia

noun

her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə How to pronounce hernia (audio)
plural hernias or herniae ˈhər-nē-ˌē How to pronounce hernia (audio) -nē-ˌī How to pronounce hernia (audio)
: a protrusion of an organ or part (such as the intestine) through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity (as of the abdomen) in which it is normally enclosed

called also rupture

hernial
ˈhər-nē-əl How to pronounce hernia (audio)
adjective

Examples of hernia in a Sentence

He was treated for hernia.
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.
San Francisco announced on Monday that third baseman Matt Chapman, as expected, will undergo season-ending surgery to address a hernia and tear in the right side of his abdomen. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Kenyon Sadiq’s recovery from spring hernia surgery has hit a snag. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 In another promising development, wide receiver Darius Slayton wasn’t placed on the PUP list after missing most of the spring due to sports hernia surgery. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 28 July 2026 Doctors initially suspected the father of one, 35, had a hernia, but further testing in April revealed Bainbridge had linitis plastica, a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer that had spread to other parts of his body. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hernia

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hernia, hernie, hirnia, borrowed from Latin hernia, hirnia, of uncertain origin

Note: See note at haruspex.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hernia was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing hernia

Browse Nearby Words

Herne
hernia
Herniaria
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hernia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hernia. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hernia

noun
her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə How to pronounce hernia (audio)
plural hernias or herniae -nē-ˌē How to pronounce hernia (audio)
-nē-ˌī
: a sticking out of an organ or part through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed

called also rupture

Medical Definition

hernia

noun
her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə How to pronounce hernia (audio)
plural hernias or herniae -nē-ˌē How to pronounce hernia (audio) -nē-ˌī How to pronounce hernia (audio)
: a protrusion of an organ or part through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed

called also rupture

see abdominal hernia, hiatal hernia, strangulated hernia
hernial
-nē-əl How to pronounce hernia (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hernia

Nglish: Translation of hernia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hernia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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