The men's 110 metres hurdles event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich was held from 3–7 September.

Two finalists from 1968 returned: gold medalist Willie Davenport of the United States and sixth-place finisher Bo Forssander of Sweden.

He had won 27 consecutive finals and set the world record in the 120 yards version of the race going into the U.S. Olympic trials, where he hit two early hurdles and nearly missed the team, coming in third to Tom Hill and Davenport.

The United States made its 17th appearance, the only nation to have competed in the 110 metres hurdles in each Games to that point.

The competition continued to use the three-round format used since 1908 (except 1960, which had four rounds) and eight-man semifinals and finals, as well as the "fastest loser" system, used since 1964.