What does wrist mean?
In modern English, wrist names the joint between the hand and the forearm. This highly mobile joint is made up of several small bones, supported by ligaments, tendons, and muscles, and it is essential for gripping, lifting, typing, writing, and many other everyday actions. The word is used in general, medical, and sporting contexts: a person may have a fractured wrist, a wristband on during exercise, or a wristwatch on the wrist. Although the joint itself is relatively small, problems affecting it can interfere significantly with hand movement and daily activities. Wrist is also a useful example of how ordinary English preserves older forms: the word appears in Old English and has changed relatively little in shape over time.
nounThe joint or region between the hand and the forearm, connecting the hand to the arm. In anatomical contexts, the term refers to the complex of small bones, tendons, ligaments, and other structures that allow the hand to bend and move.
- The joint or region between the hand and forearm.
"She wore a slim watch around her wrist."
"He complained of stiffness in his left wrist after the match."
"The doctor asked her to rotate both wrists gently."
The regular plural is formed by adding -s and is used for multiple people’s wrists or for parts of a single object, such as a sleeve or watch.
"Her wrists were covered by the long sleeves of her coat."
The word has survived more than a millennium almost unchanged: Old English wrist looks remarkably like modern wrist.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wrist come from?
The word comes from Old English wrist, an inherited Germanic term for the joint between the hand and forearm. It is generally traced to Proto-Germanic *wristiz and has cognates in Old Norse vrist and modern Icelandic vrist. The Middle English form wryst reflects a historical spelling variation, while compounds such as wristband and wristwatch developed from the same word.
Related word forms
How wrist is actually used
Wrist is a standard anatomical term in both British and American English. It is used for the joint and surrounding area, rather than for the hand or arm as a whole.
Easily confused with wrist
A wrist is the joint between the hand and forearm, while to wrest something is to seize, pull, or twist it forcefully.