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

Special to the Detroit Free Press This is the story of two men who crossed paths 19 years ago while being treated for injuries — a football player with a torn Achilles tendon and an auto executive who took a slap shot to the ankle while playing ice hockey. —Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 15 Aug. 2024

Third-degree burns destroys two layers of skin and may damage bones, muscles and tendons, according to Stanford Medicine. —Shania Baweja, CNN, 25 July 2024

Jackson ran for a team-high 813 yards and 4 touchdowns on 161 carries in 11 starts for the Utes last season, playing through a lower ankle injury that worsened to include a tendon pulling away from the bone. —Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 10 Aug. 2024

Miller missed last season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in the team’s preseason finale. —Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024

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