hamstring

noun

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ham·string | \ ˈham-ˌstriŋ

Definition of hamstring

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee

b : any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to flex and rotate the leg and extend the thigh

2 : a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped

hamstring

verb

hamstrung\ ˈham-ˌstrəŋ

\; hamstringing\ ˈham-ˌstriŋ-iŋ

Definition of hamstring (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make ineffective or powerless : cripple hamstrung by guilt

2 : to cripple by cutting the leg tendons

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hamstring

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Examples of hamstring in a Sentence

Verb The mayor tried to hamstring our efforts by cutting the budget. The company claims it is being hamstrung by government regulations.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Outfielder Adam Engel strained a hamstring in spring training and is about three weeks away from a rehab assignment. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "Dodgers-Cubs MLB 2021 live stream (5/4): How to watch online, TV info, time," 4 May 2021 Right-hander Zack Godley, summoned from the Brewers’ alternate training site to fill the spot in the rotation vacated when veteran lefty Brett Anderson strained his hamstring, had a difficult debut. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Marlins 6, Brewers 2: One of those days when little went Milwaukee's way, including the umpiring," 28 Apr. 2021 Center fielder Ketel Marte underwent a follow-up MRI on his strained right hamstring. — Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, "Arizona Diamondbacks’ defense tops Major League Baseball in runs saved," 28 Apr. 2021 Injury report: Arizona infielder Ketel Marte was placed on the 10-day IL, a day after hurting his right hamstring. — Chronicle News Services, San Francisco Chronicle, "Mariners' James Paxton might need Tommy John surgery," 8 Apr. 2021 In 2019, Tatis strained his hamstring doing the splits while covering second base. — Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: ‘Rough-and-tumble’ Fernando Tatis Jr. needs to safeguard health," 6 Apr. 2021 In college, his right hamstring tore away from the tibia. — Mark Craig, Star Tribune, "Vikings receiver Chad Beebe hopes changes will help him avoid injury bug," 3 Sep. 2020 Portland point guard Damian Lillard did not play against the San Antonio Spurs due to a strained right hamstring. — BostonGlobe.com, "Dwyane Wade joining ownership group of Utah Jazz," 16 Apr. 2021 Harden is out with a strained right hamstring and Durant got a night off after playing 27 minutes against the Timberwolves. — Dan Gelston, ajc, "Embiid, 76ers top undermanned Nets 123-117 for 1st in East," 15 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb G Bogdan Bogdanovic returned after missing the last two games with left hamstring soreness and scored 15 points. ... — George Henry, ajc, "Young scores 33, Capela has double-double, Hawks beat Bulls," 2 May 2021 G Bogdan Bogdanovic returned after missing the last two games with left hamstring soreness and scored 15 points. ... — George Henry, Star Tribune, "Young scores 33, Capela has double-double, Hawks beat Bulls," 1 May 2021 The bad left hamstring, and the swollen right knee. — Houston Mitchell Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, "Greatest moments in Dodger history No. 1: Kirk Gibson’s World Series home run," 30 Apr. 2021 His three years with the San Diego Padres have been curtailed by hamstring, back and wrist injuries sandwiched around the COVID-19 pandemic that limited the 2020 season to 60 games. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Fernando Tatis Jr.'s first 162 games made history — even over three seasons," 26 Apr. 2021 Harden went from right hamstring soreness to strain to setback, so this appears to be injury mismanagement in the injury management era. — Mike Mazzeo, Forbes, "James Harden’s Injury Setback Comes At Bad Time For Brooklyn Nets," 21 Apr. 2021 While there is significantly wasteful spending at the Pentagon, there’s no guarantee that gutting the budget would do anything but hamstring America’s national defense posture. — Jimmy Quinn, National Review, "Biden’s Budget Would Weaken Our National Defense," 14 Apr. 2021 Austin Hays’ hamstring injury, along with Mullins’ hot start, meant the Orioles had little choice but to keep him in the lineup against lefty starters Jordan Montgomery of the Yankees and Eduardo Rodríguez of the Red Sox last week. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Two years after his free-fall from majors, former Norfolk Tide Cedric Mullins’ ‘incredible’ progress on display," 12 Apr. 2021 In a guest column, Paul Owens, the president of a nonprofit advocating for growth management and former Sentinel Opinion Editor, details the bad legislative bills that restrict the state and hamstring local governments. — Joseph Wilkinson, orlandosentinel.com, "TODAY'S TOP NEWS VIDEOS," 6 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hamstring.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamstring. Accessed 12 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for hamstring

hamstring

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hamstring

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a tendon at the back of a person's knee

: a muscle at the back of a person's upper leg

hamstring

verb

English Language Learners Definition of hamstring (Entry 2 of 2)

: to damage or ruin the force or effectiveness of (something or someone)

See the full definition for hamstring in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hamstring

noun

ham·string | \ ˈham-ˌstriŋ

Medical Definition of hamstring

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : either of two groups of tendons bounding the upper part of the popliteal space at the back of the knee and forming the tendons of insertion of some muscles of the back of the thigh

b : hamstring muscle

2 : a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped corresponding to the human Achilles tendon

hamstring

transitive verb

hamstrung\ -ˌstrəŋ

\; hamstringing\ -ˌstriŋ-iŋ

Medical Definition of hamstring (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons folklore has it that wolf packs try to hamstring their prey— John Madson