SportsAugust 17, 2026

impingement

im-PINJ-ment

Definition

A condition in which soft tissue, such as a tendon or bursa, becomes pinched or compressed by surrounding bone during movement, often causing pain and restricted range of motion.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 'impinge,' which comes from the Latin 'impingere' (to strike or push against). It entered English in the mid-17th century to describe the act of striking or colliding with something.

In the news

The article uses the term to explain the medical reason for a player's extended absence, specifically describing a 'shoulder impingement' that required a rehab assignment.

Ryan Clifford fans five times in Triple-A game

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NBC Sports

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