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

Georginio Rutter hurried back from hernia surgery to start. —Beren Cross, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

He’s missed the last seven games, initially sitting out with a groin issue before a sports hernia sidelined him. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025

Miguel Rojas developed an infection earlier this winter that has hampered his recovery from offseason hernia surgery, costing him at least a pair of weeks in his recovery. —Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025

Forward Yanni Gourde, who is ranked as the No. 8 overall name on TSN's trade bait board, underwent sports hernia surgery Friday and is expected to miss 5-7 weeks, which will surpass the deadline per NHL insider Chris Johnston. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 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