noun

stitch

A sharp pain in the side during physical exertion.

A stitch in my side forces me to stop running.

Etymology

The word is related to piercing or sticking. A side stitch is named for its sharp, localized, needle-like pain.

More examples

  • Halfway up the hill, Maya gets a stitch.
  • We slow to a walk until the stitch eases.
  • I sometimes get stitches in my side when I swim.

Forms

stitch · stitches

Similar words

cramp
A muscle contraction that may hurt anywhere, not just the side.
twinge
A brief, sharp pain that need not involve physical exertion.