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

A little more than 24 hours after suffering a season-ending injury, Mahomes underwent surgery to repair two ligaments in his left knee. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025

Mahomes tore two ligaments — his ACL and his LCL — on a play late in the game, while the Chiefs were attempting to score on their final drive and save their season. —Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Also, imperceptibly at first, aerobic capacity begins to lessen, flexibility decreases, ligaments stiffen. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

The separate ligaments can complicate recovery, but the report adds that this doesn’t necessarily mean Mahomes’ rehab will be longer than nine months. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 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