wrist

noun

ˈrist How to pronounce wrist (audio)
1
a
: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm
b
: the part of a vertebrate animal corresponding to the human wrist
2
: the part of a garment or glove covering the wrist

Examples of wrist 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.
On Monday night, Allen was identified by the hospital bracelet still on his wrist, his family said. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 The child’s arm wraps around the woman’s neck, where the brown of her hair migrates into the pale flesh of his wrist. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 Inclusion-body myositis (IBM) causes progressive weakness in muscles in the wrist, finger, thigh and foot muscles. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 The wrists and necks of fashion’s elite are stacked with them in vibey downtowns across the world. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrist

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German rist wrist, ankle, Old English wrǣstan to twist — more at wrest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrist was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing wrist

Rhymes for wrist

See All Rhymes for wrist

Browse Nearby Words

Wrisberg's nerve
wrist
wristband
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrist. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wrist

noun
ˈrist How to pronounce wrist (audio)
: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm
also : a corresponding part of a lower animal

Medical Definition

wrist

noun
ˈrist How to pronounce wrist (audio)
: the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm or a corresponding part on a lower animal

More from Merriam-Webster on wrist

Nglish: Translation of wrist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wrist

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