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

Defensive end Mykel Williams sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament late in Sunday’s win, the same injury that took out fellow opening-day starter Nick Bosa in Week 3. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025

Monday brought word that rookie defensive end Mykel Williams, a regular contributor, sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament Sunday. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

But this season’s success could hinge on Kyrie Irving’s return date from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025

The squad is stretched defensively, with goalkeeper Alisson expected to be out until after the November international break, and summer signing Giovanni Leoni missing the remainder of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

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