turf toe

noun

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury typically involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligaments at the joint between the metatarsal and basal phalanx

Examples of turf toe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jack Lambert got turf toe and was done. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 26 May 2026 Brock Purdy missed half of the regular season with turf toe. — Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Jan. 2026 Donovan said the injury is similar to turf toe, which can sideline football players for months. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026 That’s because the team went 5-3 with Mac Jones as the starter while Brock Purdy dealt with turf toe. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turf toe

Word History

Etymology

from the occurrence of the injury among athletes who play on artificial turf

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turf toe was in 1981

Rhymes for turf toe

See All Rhymes for turf toe

Browse Nearby Words

turf tan
turf toe
turf webworm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turf toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turf%20toe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

turf toe

noun
ˈtərf- How to pronounce turf toe (audio)
: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligament of the metatarsophalangeal joint
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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