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

But injuries right now are happening at an alarming rate—particularly those that involve trauma to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025

After tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee and undergoing surgery in spring training before the 2019 season, Souza finished out his career with the Cubs (2020), Dodgers (2021) and Mariners (2022). —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025

The hand prototype weighs under 2 pounds, yet thanks to its carbon-fiber bones and ligament-style tethers, each Myofiber can generate up to 1 kilogram of grip force. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025

Aiyuk, a 2020 first-round pick, got injured seven games into the 2024 season, doomed by the impact of a Chiefs defensive back who tore multiple ligaments and the meniscus in Aiyuk’s right knee. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 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