a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
"The surgeon carefully examined the wrist, which is the complex joint connecting the forearm bones to the hand."
The complex joint between forearm bones, carpus, and metacarpals where the hand is attached to the arm; the carpus in a narrow sense.
"The gymnast carefully checked her wrist alignment before attempting the difficult flip."
In plain English: The wrist is the joint that connects your hand to your arm and lets you move it around.
"She sprained her wrist while playing tennis yesterday."
Usage: The wrist refers specifically to the flexible joint connecting your hand to your forearm, not the entire lower part of the arm itself. You can wear a watch on it or twist it when turning a doorknob.
to hit a wrist shot
"The hockey player quickly pulled back his stick and snapped it forward to hit a wrist shot past the goalie."
The word "wrist" comes directly from Old English and originally meant the part of the arm used for twisting or turning things. Its name reflects this function because it is derived from a root meaning to twist.