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

When a surgeon fixes that hernia, the belly button’s blood supply is affected, so a from-scratch belly button is created. —Meirav Devash, Allure, 31 Mar. 2025

Zambrano, who has dealt with hip, hernia and labrum issues, made 24 of his 26 starts for the Redbirds at left tackle before suffering a season-ending injury two games into the 2024 season. —Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025

He was hospitalized again a few months later to undergo abdominal surgery for a hernia. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Because of differences in anatomy, women are less likely to get hernias than men. —Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 9 Jan. 2025

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