tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part (such as a bone) and transmits the force which the muscle exerts

Examples of tendon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s a lot to put on the inflamed Achilles tendons of reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

Bursae in the hip help muscles, tendons, and ligaments glide smoothly, preventing friction. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Three tendons were completely torn and one was partially torn in the accident. —USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Hanging from a bar with your arms overhead can increase space in the joint, which is just generally good for your shoulder health, but can also be particularly useful for conditions like shoulder impingement, in which the bones (and other good stuff, like your tendons) are jamming together. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin tendōn-, tendō, probably derivative of Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch" after Greek tenont-, ténōn "sinew, tendon," from ten-, variant stem of teínein "to stretch, extend" + -ont-, -ōn, deverbal noun suffix — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tendon

• Achilles tendon
• tendon of Achilles

Kids Definition

tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white connective tissue that links a muscle to some other part (as a bone)

Medical Definition

tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part, transmits the force which the muscle exerts, and is continuous with the connective-tissue epimysium and perimysium of the muscle and when inserted into a bone with the periosteum of the bone