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

Injuries that occur where the tendon attaches to the humerus bone typically require surgery. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025

The sighting came days before Woods, 49, tore his Achilles tendon, derailing his plans of playing at the Masters in April. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

The brain, spinal cord and nerves, as well as muscles, ligaments, and tendons are seen much more clearly with MRI than with regular x-rays and CT scans. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025

Already with the smallest field of the 14 Cup races, the Juvenile was reduced to seven starters when Civil Liberty was withdrawn due to swelling in an upper tendon, according to trainer Doug O’Neill. —Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 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