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

The Red Sox began the season with four outfielders in Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, but Anthony has been out since May with a torn finger ligament. — The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 24 July 2026

The plot lacks essential narrative ligaments and makes David Lynch’s canon seem downright accessible. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

These are injectables like BPC-157, which is extremely popular online for its reputed ability to heal tendons, ligaments and muscles, and TB-500, which is believed to reduce inflammation and improve wound healing. — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Skattebo underwent emergency surgery to repair the injury, which included a ruptured deltoid ligament and a fractured fibula. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

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