hernia

noun

her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə 

plural hernias or herniae ˈhər-nē-ˌē  -nē-ˌī 

: 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 

adjective

Examples of hernia in a Sentence

He was treated for hernia.

Recent Examples on the Web

And then one day at school, Aaron gets the news: His dad died in hernia surgery. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 17 Sep. 2024

Peter sadly died of sepsis from an untreated hernia in Nov. 2021. —Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024

Fourth-round pick T.J Tampa (sports hernia surgery) is on the physically unable to perform list and has been sidelined throughout training camp. —Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2024

While this may come with some mild discomfort, any pain should be reported to your healthcare provider, as this could signal an umbilical hernia in rare cases. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing hernia

• hiatal hernia

Kids Definition

hernia

noun

her·​nia ˈhər-nē-ə 

plural hernias or herniae -nē-ˌē 

-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 

plural hernias or herniae -nē-ˌē  -nē-ˌī 

: 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 

adjective