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

When Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon against the New York Knicks in the playoffs last May, his family, friends and teammates ached for him. —Jay King, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Her hands weren't so tense, the tendons were less prominent. —CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

The typical rehabilitation window to return to basketball action following Achilles tendon surgery is between nine and 12 months. —Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Adam, who had surgery to repair a ruptured quad tendon in September, has been pitching without hindrance for three months. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026

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