1
a(1)
: a localized or generalized unpleasant bodily sensation or complex of sensations that causes mild to severe physical discomfort and emotional distress and typically results from bodily disorder (such as injury or disease)
acute shooting pains
also
: the state marked by the presence of such sensations
was in constant pain
(2)
: a basic bodily sensation that is induced by a noxious stimulus, is received by naked nerve endings, is associated with actual or potential tissue damage, is characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leads to evasive action
b
: mental or emotional distress or suffering : grief
the pain she had felt at those humiliating words—
Morley Callaghan
Morley Callaghan2
informal
: one that irks or annoys or is otherwise troublesome
… almost everything requires a password these days, and it can be a real pain to remember them all.—Michael Cahlin
—often used in such phrases as pain in the neck or (impolite) pain in the ass/buttMichael CahlinHis little sister is a real pain in the neck.
3
pains plural
: trouble, care, or effort taken to accomplish something
was at pains to reassure us
4
pains plural
: the throes of childbirth
5
: punishment
the pains and penalties of crime
pained; paining; pains
1
: to make suffer or cause distress to : hurt
2
archaic
: to put (oneself) to trouble or exertion
Examples of pain in a Sentence
Noun
The medication may upset your stomach but if you experience acute abdominal pain call your doctor.
I've had chronic back pain since the accident.
The medicine provides 12 hours of pain relief.
I feel a dull pain if I touch the bruise.
the pain of a difficult childhood
It is a story about the joys and pains of life.
Rush hour traffic is such a pain.
This orange is a pain to peel.
Verb
As much as it pains me to admit it, she was right.
my poor head was paining so from all that racket
Recent Examples on the Web
Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
According to my friends from STATS Perform, only six other relief pitchers in World Series history can share his pain.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
When the body feels stress, your heart rate and blood pressure jump, stress chemicals rise, and the brain may turn pain down for a moment.
—Dayanne S. Antonio, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pain
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Ergofoot Orthopedic Slippers For those on my holiday list who have more sensitive and pain-prone feet, this orthopedic pair stands out from the crowd.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
According to my friends from STATS Perform, only six other relief pitchers in World Series history can share his pain.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
To see how much this moment pained Seattle and its players, look no further than MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, who was reduced to tears at the end of the game.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
When the body feels stress, your heart rate and blood pressure jump, stress chemicals rise, and the brain may turn pain down for a moment.
—Dayanne S. Antonio, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pain
Cite this Entry
“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pain. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pain
1 of 2 noun1
: punishment sense 2
under pain of death
2
a
: physical suffering associated with disease, injury, or other bodily disorder
a pain in the back
b
: a basic bodily sensation that is caused by something harmful, is accompanied by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and usually makes one try to escape its source
3
: mental distress : grief
4
plural
: the suffering experienced during childbirth
5
plural
: great care or effort
took pains with their work
painlessly
adverb
pain
2 of 2 verb1
: to cause pain in or to : hurt
2
: to give or feel pain
Medical Definition
pain
1 of 2 noun1
a(1)
: a localized or generalized unpleasant bodily sensation or complex of sensations that causes mild to severe physical discomfort and emotional distress and typically results from bodily disorder (as injury or disease)
acute shooting pains
also
: the state marked by the presence of such sensations
was in constant pain
(2)
: a basic bodily sensation that is induced by a noxious stimulus, is received by naked nerve endings, is associated with actual or potential tissue damage, is characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leads to evasive action
b
: mental or emotional distress or suffering
2
pains plural
: the protracted series of involuntary contractions of the uterine musculature that constitute the major factor in parturient labor and that are often accompanied by considerable pain
her pains had begun
pain
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make suffer or cause distress to
: to give or have a sensation of pain
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