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 On the very first play of their first game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Harden tweaked his hamstring, which meant the entire series changed before Giannis Antetokounmpo touched the ball. — Ben Cohen, WSJ, 21 June 2021 The Jazz were without guard Mike Conley because of a tight hamstring, and Bogdan Bogdanovic didn’t score his first basket until eight minutes before halftime. — Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2021 Michael Brantley, sidelined for the last 10 games with a tight right hamstring, was fifth at .305. — Mike Haim, Star Tribune, 4 June 2021 Brooklyn’s James Harden will miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday in Milwaukee because of the right hamstring injury that forced him out of the series opener. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2021 Even with the Jazz missing veteran guard Mike Conley in Game 1 and possibly beyond with right hamstring soreness, Utah still has other reliable players. — Mark Medina, USA TODAY, 9 June 2021 And on Thursday evening, the Jazz spilled the beans: The exam revealed a mild right hamstring strain, and the veteran point guard will be re-evaluated before Game 1 of the team’s second-round series. — Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 June 2021 The last time these teams played, a 105-100 loss in Los Angeles, the Pacers had Malcolm Brogdon (right hamstring), Myles Turner (right big toe), Jeremy Lamb (left knee) and Aaron Holiday (right big toe). — J. Michael, The Indianapolis Star, 15 May 2021 Osaka did not play at last year's tournament because of a sore hamstring. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 26 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Lordstown Motors’s recent troubles, including the going-concern notice, could hamstring further fundraising efforts, analysts and lawyers say. — Ben Foldy, WSJ, 9 June 2021 Economists, too, have raised concerns that supply bottlenecks in major industries could hamstring growth at a time when people are eager to buy. — New York Times, 7 May 2021 Study after study backs up the hypothesis, consistently showing that gendered and racially homogenous businesses hamstring their own finances. — Lee Seymour, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021 With the salary cap remaining flat until NHL revenue exceeded $3.3 billion in the aftermath of being shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, Guerin is also being mindful to not hamstring the team for the future. — Sarah Mclellan, Star Tribune, 30 Mar. 2021 These include a seated straddle stretch to work hamstring flexibility, and hip-mobility drills that use a resistance band to work his residual limb in various planes of motion. — Jen Murphy, WSJ, 29 May 2021 Iglesias departed in the fifth inning after suffering a left-hamstring cramp on an RBI double, but the injury is not believed to be serious. — Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2021 The Brewers also recalled outfielder Derek Fisher (hamstring strain) from his rehab assignment at Nashville, leaving him on the 10-day IL. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 May 2021 As a freshman, Brown suffered a severe tear of the ischial tuberosity, a bone that is connected to the hamstring muscles. — Greg Riddle, Dallas News, 9 May 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

24 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamstring. Accessed 25 Jun. 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