hamstring

1 of 2

noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ 

1

a

: 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

2 of 2

verb

hamstrung ˈham-ˌstrəŋ  ; hamstringing ˈham-ˌstriŋ-iŋ  ; hamstrings

transitive verb

1

: to make ineffective or powerless : disable

hamstrung by guilt

2

: to deprive of the use of a leg by cutting the leg tendons

Synonyms of hamstring

Verb

• paralyze
• cripple
• undermine
• weaken
• incapacitate

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

Darryn Peterson returned to the lineup from a hamstring strain for the first time in a month, scoring 17 points. —Sam McDowell December 7, Kansas City Star, 8 Dec. 2025

The Bulls didn’t have Ayo Dosunmu (thumb), Kevin Huerter (hamstring), Tre Jones (ankle), Isaac Okoro (back), or Jalen Smith (knee) on Friday, with Coby White leading the offense with 22 points while Matas Buzelis finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

Verb

The team has had trouble finding traction this season, with early injuries and the six-game suspension of wide receiver Rashee Rice hamstringing their offensive efforts. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

What Trump is proposing Trump hasn’t unveiled his policy yet, hamstrung by congressional Republicans who have balked at his subsidy extension plan. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hamstring

• bowstring
• coiling
• downswing
• drawstring
• forewing
• lapwing
• mainspring
• offspring
• plaything
• shoestring
• texting
• upswing

Kids Definition

hamstring

1 of 2 noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ 

1

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

2

: any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to extend the thigh, rotate the leg, and bend the knee

hamstring

2 of 2 verb

hamstrung

-ˌstrəŋ

; hamstringing

-ˌstriŋ-iŋ

1

: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons

2

: to make ineffective or powerless : cripple

hamstrung by restrictions

Medical Definition

hamstring

1 of 2 noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ 

1

a

: 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

2 of 2 transitive verb

hamstrung -ˌstrəŋ  ; hamstringing -ˌstriŋ-iŋ 

: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons

folklore has it that wolf packs try to hamstring their prey

—John Madson