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

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 Ingebrigtsen was second in the 1,500, and Warholm led through eight of the 10 hurdles before fading to seventh with a bum hamstring. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2022 He's still bothered by a long-term hamstring injury and hustling down the line to avoid grounding into a double play in an at-bat Monday might have been a reason to get him a day off. — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 Williams, whose ranking has dropped to No. 1,204, hasn't played since tearing a hamstring at 3-3 in the first round of last year's Wimbledon against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 21 June 2022 Against all odds, the season remained salvageable, in spite of a rash of hamstring and knee injuries, a lackluster offense, boneheaded mistakes on the bases and in the field, and head-scratching decisions by manager Tony La Russa. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2022 Reyes’ hamstring has been bothering him for a while, Francona said. — Joe Noga, cleveland, 30 May 2022 Lowry's hamstring hasn't been right for more than a month. — Tim Reynolds, ajc, 30 May 2022 Brewers manager Craig Counsell said an MRI showed a low-grade hamstring strain and Renfroe could miss two weeks. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 25 May 2022 Managing a balky hamstring, Brown primed his pump, physically and mentally. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Contreras is still day to day with left hamstring tightness but expects to play at some point during the Cubs’ four-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium. — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2022 Juan Yepez had a pinch hit three-run homer in the ninth and Tyler O’Neill had three hits for the Cardinals but had to leave the game due to left hamstring tightness after legging out a double. — Ken Powtak, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2022 Despite aggravating her left hamstring Saturday afternoon in the Class 2A Winamac Regional semifinals, Arcella walked back on the court later that night. — Casey Drottar, chicagotribune.com, 13 Feb. 2022 Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil each suffered hamstring injuries on the same day in May and never got untracked thereafter. — Jerry Beach, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2021 For starters, the unit has been hit by hamstring injuries this season, with key players such as Myles Garrett, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Grant Delpit and now Takitaki all suffering from them. — cleveland, 20 Aug. 2021 Both players are recovering from hamstring injuries. — David Brandt, Star Tribune, 18 July 2021 With the team down three starters — Cobb, Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) and Jakob Junis (hamstring), getting Cobb back in action ASAP seems sensible. — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 June 2022 Cowboys are going deep with this group because of injuries to Gallimore (elbow), Trysten Hill (knee) and Chauncey Golston (hamstring). — Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 26 Aug. 2021 See More

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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Statistics for hamstring

Last Updated

30 Jul 2022

Cite this Entry

“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamstring. Accessed 10 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for hamstring

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