ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈli-gə-mənt 

1

: a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place

2

: a connecting or unifying bond

… the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind.

—Edmund Burke

ligamentous

ˌli-gə-ˈmen-təs 

adjective

Examples of ligament in a Sentence

He sprained ligaments in his knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Back in 2013, Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb while playing for the Dominican Republic. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026

Will Campbell suffered a torn ligament in his knee before returning for — and struggling during — the New England Patriots’ playoff run, the rookie left tackle said Tuesday. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

Then Danso, the first replacement, sustained a rare big-toe ligament injury in Frankfurt, ruling him out for weeks. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Lindsey Vonn will compete today, just nine days after completely rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament — the ligament that helps maintain knee stability — in a crash at her final downhill race before the Olympics. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ligamentum, from Latin, band, tie, from ligare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ligament

• anterior cruciate ligament
• cruciate ligament
• medial collateral ligament
• posterior cruciate ligament
• suspensory ligament
• ulnar collateral ligament
• ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Kids Definition

ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈlig-ə-mənt 

: a tough band of tissue that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place in the body

Etymology

Middle English ligament "connecting tissue, ligament," derived from Latin ligamentum "band, something used for tying," from ligare "to bind, tie" — related to ally

Medical Definition

ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈlig-ə-mənt 

1

: a tough band of tissue that serves to connect the articular extremities of bones or to support or retain an organ in place and is usually composed of coarse bundles of dense white fibrous tissue parallel or closely interlaced, pliant, and flexible, but not extensible

2

: any of various folds or bands of pleura, peritoneum, or mesentery connecting parts or organs