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

Adams, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, has not played a snap since. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Rookie Junior Colson, who earned a spot in the early three-man rotation as the defensive player entrusted to relay calls with in-helmet communication from coaches, has missed two games because of a hamstring injury. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024

Verb

The results were hamstrung by a 31% decline—worth $4 billion—in net income in the consumer and community banking sector, which JP said was driven in part by lower deposit balances and net interest income. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024

Former employees and space industry stalwarts told Forbes that a severe cash crunch, business challenges and a cold reception to its latest fundraising efforts have hamstrung the company and led to extensive layoffs and pay cuts. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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