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
Edmund BurkeExamples of ligament in a Sentence
He sprained ligaments in his knee.
Recent Examples on the Web
At that time, Raducanu had only just returned from a couple of months out after spraining foot ligaments at the start of September.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
In 2012, Cruz suffered a torn ACL that required surgery, but complications arose when his body rejected the replacement ligament from a cadaver, leaving him on the shelf for several additional months after having to undergo a second surgery.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
In the 2008 Conference USA Championship game against East Carolina, Marion tore his left ACL, a knee ligament.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
This rare condition occurs when the ligaments holding the lower ribs in place weaken, allowing the ribs to move out of position and causing pain.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ligament 
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Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
In 2012, Cruz suffered a torn ACL that required surgery, but complications arose when his body rejected the replacement ligament from a cadaver, leaving him on the shelf for several additional months after having to undergo a second surgery.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
In the 2008 Conference USA Championship game against East Carolina, Marion tore his left ACL, a knee ligament.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
This rare condition occurs when the ligaments holding the lower ribs in place weaken, allowing the ribs to move out of position and causing pain.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ligament
Dictionary Entries Near ligament
Cite this Entry
“Ligament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ligament. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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