pain

1–3. Pain , ache , agony , anguish are terms for sensations causing suffering or torment. Pain and ache usually refer to physical sensations (except heartache ); agony and anguish may be physical or mental. Pain suggests a sudden sharp twinge: a pain in one's ankle. Ache applies to a continuous pain, whether acute or dull: headache; muscular aches. Agony implies a continuous, excruciating, scarcely endurable pain: in agony from a wound. Anguish suggests not only extreme and long-continued pain, but also a feeling of despair. 4a. See care.

OTHER WORDS FROM pain

un·der·pain, nounun·pain·ing, adjective

Words nearby pain

paillard, paillasse, paillette, paillon, paimio chair, pain, pain in the neck, pain-pleasure principle, paine, paine, thomas, pained

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for pain

He closed his eyes, imagining the virgins, imagining away the pain in his head and groin.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Throughout all the stories of loss and pain with the Chief, there was barely a trace of emotion.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Just two young kids experiencing the panic, pain, and then the miracle, of new birth.
Jesus Wasn’t Born Rich. Think About It.|Gene Robinson|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nowhere to be found is the anguish, the drama, the pain of an athlete on that level who considering walking away.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The holidays are upon us, time for family, for love and pain, togetherness and loss.
The Stacks: Sell the Overcoat, Keep the Dignity|Paul Hemphill|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I had scarcely reached the summit of the headland when I heard a cry of pain.
The Passion for Life|Joseph Hocking
He put his hand on her shoulder and asked her if she was in any pain.
Peck's Compendium of Fun|George W. Peck
Prior to the development of a quittor there is always swelling at the coronet, accompanied with heat and pain.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse|United States Department of Agriculture
I do not remember much else about it; indeed, the pain in my arm was so sharp that I had no eyes for physical features.
Ayesha|H. Rider Haggard
That we shall some day smile at a fancy makes the present pain none the less poignant.
Patty's Perversities|Arlo Bates

British Dictionary definitions for pain

pain

/ (peɪn) /

noun

the sensation of acute physical hurt or discomfort caused by injury, illness, etc

emotional suffering or mental distress

on pain of subject to the penalty of

Also called: pain in the neck, (taboo) pain in the arse informal a person or thing that is a nuisance

verb (tr)

to cause (a person) distress, hurt, grief, anxiety, etc

informal to annoy; irritate

Word Origin for pain

C13: from Old French peine, from Latin poena punishment, grief, from Greek poinē penalty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for pain

pain

[ pān ]

n.

An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder.

One of the uterine contractions occurring in childbirth.

Idioms and Phrases with pain

pain

In addition to the idioms beginning with pain

pain in the neck

also see:

at pains
feel no pain
for one's pains
growing pains
no pain, no gain
on pain of

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pain