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

Receptors in your skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons send messages to your brain, leading to better balance, coordination and agility and potentially reducing risk of injury. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026

Austin Reaves is out for a month with a calf strain – and keep in mind that calf issues can turn into Achilles tendon issues. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025

Two years ago, in a supposedly meaningless fourth-quarter snap of a 56-19 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Dolphins’ top pass rusher ruptured his ACL, meniscus and patella tendon in his right knee. —Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025

The air compression pushes heat deeper into the tissue of the ankle and Achilles tendon for more effective treatment. —Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2025

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