anterior cruciate ligament

noun

: 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

called also ACL

Examples of anterior cruciate ligament in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Parsons had 12½ sacks in 14 games last year before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely and likely will prevent him from being available for the start of the next season. —Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

On January 4, Carvajal was cleared to play after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on that knee issue in October 2025, having previously suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in October 2024. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Charlisse Leger-Walker, a transfer from Washington State, spent the year on the sideline recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. —Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026

Lynch’s only other health updates: defensive ends Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams both should be ready for training camp after anterior cruciate ligament repairs; linebacker Nick Martin is cleared from a late-season concussion. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anterior cruciate ligament

noun

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that is attached in front to the more medial aspect of the tibia, that passes upward, backward, and laterally through the middle of the knee crossing the posterior cruciate ligament to attach to the femur, that functions to prevent hyperextension of the knee and to keep the tibia from sliding forward in relation to the femur, and that is subject to sports injury especially by tearing

called also ACL