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

He was then hospitalized again a few months later to undergo abdominal surgery for a hernia. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

The pontiff underwent a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery due to an incisional hernia. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

Like the announcement about King Abdullah's hernia surgery, news of Amina's birth was announced by the court. —Janine Henni, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025

Francis was last admitted to the hospital in June 2023 to have surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in the abdominal wall. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 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