hamstring

1 of 2

noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ 

1

a

: either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee

b

: any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to flex and rotate the leg and extend the thigh

2

: a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped

hamstring

2 of 2

verb

hamstrung ˈham-ˌstrəŋ  ; hamstringing ˈham-ˌstriŋ-iŋ  ; hamstrings

transitive verb

1

: to make ineffective or powerless : disable

hamstrung by guilt

2

: to deprive of the use of a leg by cutting the leg tendons

Synonyms

Verb

• cripple
• disable
• immobilize
• incapacitate
• paralyze
• prostrate

Examples of hamstring in a Sentence

Verb

The mayor tried to hamstring our efforts by cutting the budget.

The company claims it is being hamstrung by government regulations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The switch-hitting shortstop has dealt with a hamstring issue in recent weeks, and is using the combine to meet with individual teams as well as undertake all the medical testing. —Joe Frisaro, Miami Herald, 20 June 2024

Since straining his hamstring on May 27, Wade has targeted the Giants’ one-off game in Birmingham, Alabama, which would require him to return a week or more ahead of the timeline he was given at the time of the injury. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024

Verb

The starting staff has hamstrung the Mets this season, producing only 12 wins, tied for the fewest amount in the league with some dubious company, the Chicago White Sox and the Colorado Rockies. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024

By instructing officials to try to establish Ukrainian involvement in the concert arena massacre, Putin is effectively hamstringing the investigation and distracting from measures to prevent future such attacks. —Maksim Samorukov, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hamstring

1 of 2 noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ 

1

: either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee

2

: any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to extend the thigh, rotate the leg, and bend the knee

hamstring

2 of 2 verb

hamstrung

-ˌstrəŋ

; hamstringing

-ˌstriŋ-iŋ

1

: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons

2

: to make ineffective or powerless : cripple

hamstrung by restrictions

Medical Definition

hamstring

1 of 2 noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ 

1

a

: either of two groups of tendons bounding the upper part of the popliteal space at the back of the knee and forming the tendons of insertion of some muscles of the back of the thigh

b

: hamstring muscle

2

: a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped corresponding to the human Achilles tendon

hamstring

2 of 2 transitive verb

hamstrung -ˌstrəŋ  ; hamstringing -ˌstriŋ-iŋ 

: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons

folklore has it that wolf packs try to hamstring their prey

—John Madson