ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈli-gə-mənt 

1

: a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place

2

: a connecting or unifying bond

the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind

—Edmund Burke

ligamentous

ˌli-gə-ˈmen-təs 

adjective

Examples of ligament in a Sentence

He sprained ligaments in his knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Losing Amad, who has suffered ankle ligament damage, for the run-in would damage United severely. —Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025

Musgrove’s elbow dogged him over the summer, too, and after posting a 2.15 ERA over nine starts after his last return from the injured list, the ligament finally gave out in Game 2 of the NL Wild-Card Series against the Braves, ending his season. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

Rice was a breakout star for the Chiefs last season but legal troubles and an injury to his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee have sidelined him. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025

Moyes recently saw another loanee, Orel Mangala, ruled until the end of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage in the recent 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion. —Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ligamentum, from Latin, band, tie, from ligare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ligament

• anterior cruciate ligament
• cruciate ligament
• medial collateral ligament
• posterior cruciate ligament
• suspensory ligament
• ulnar collateral ligament
• ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Kids Definition

ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈlig-ə-mənt 

: a tough band of tissue that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place in the body

Etymology

Middle English ligament "connecting tissue, ligament," derived from Latin ligamentum "band, something used for tying," from ligare "to bind, tie" — related to ally

Medical Definition

ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈlig-ə-mənt 

1

: a tough band of tissue that serves to connect the articular extremities of bones or to support or retain an organ in place and is usually composed of coarse bundles of dense white fibrous tissue parallel or closely interlaced, pliant, and flexible, but not extensible

2

: any of various folds or bands of pleura, peritoneum, or mesentery connecting parts or organs