ACL

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)sē-ˈel 

plural ACLs

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that attaches the front of the tibia with the back of the femur and functions especially to prevent hyperextension of the knee and is subject to injury especially by tearing

The athlete tore their ACL during a practice game.

called also anterior cruciate ligament

Examples of ACL in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in an NFC Divisional Round game against the San Francisco 49ers, presenting Walker his big postseason opportunity. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Achane, expected to be a valuable check-down option and pass-catcher out of the backfield, for the year with a torn ACL. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

VanVleet chipped in six points with 11 assists in his return after missing last season recovering from a torn ACL. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

The Panthers opened the season 5-0 before starting quarterback Mason Heintschel sustained a season-ending ACL tear. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ACL

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)sē-ˈel 

: anterior cruciate ligament