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

For most, surgery is required, which uses donor tissue — typically part of your own hamstring — to replace the torn ligament. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025

As Shohei Ohtani has worked his way from a second major elbow ligament reconstruction, the organization has preached patience, signaling for weeks now that Ohtani would not make his pitching debut for the franchise until after the All-Star break at the earliest. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 11 June 2025

Every now and then, however, a pitcher gets an even better ligament the second time around. —Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

Huff was meant to be a cornerstone pass rusher on the Eagles, but suffered a torn ligament in his wrist, leading to missing a total of five weeks. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

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