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

Verb

• cripple
• disable
• immobilize
• incapacitate
• paralyze
• prostrate

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

Further problems with his left hamstring came in January 2018 and March 2019. —Tom Williams, New York Times, 30 May 2025

This makes your hamstrings, calves, and quads stronger and more resilient, which helps each run get better. —Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 30 May 2025

Verb

Whatever the motives of the current council, there’s no legitimate reason future councils should be hamstrung with a costly requirement that voters have to approve decisions about library outsourcing. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 29 May 2025

Houston sent eight righties and a switch-hitter to face him, accentuating the flawed roster construction that has hamstrung its offense. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 May 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