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

For instance, Wisconsin lost projected starting left tackle Kevin Heywood to a torn anterior cruciate ligament at spring practice last year. —Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026

Wilson Odobert suffered back-to-back relegations with Troyes of France’s Ligue 1 and Premier League Burnley in 2022-23 and 2023-24 but will not feature again this season after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in last month’s defeat to Newcastle United. —Jay Harris, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Star forward Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. —Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

During Miami’s game against the Jets, Hill suffered a dislocated knee and tore multiple ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 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