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

The Trail Blazers didn’t have Javonte Cooke (G League), Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear), Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury management), Matisse Thybulle (left thumb ligament tear) and Blake Wesley (right foot fracture) against the Heat. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

Possible future applications of the device include the production of three-dimensional scaffolding-like structures used to support the growth of artificial ligaments or veins. —New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025

This helps improve ankle stability (how strong and sturdy your ankle is during movement) and build strength through the smaller ligaments and tendons of your feet. —Jakob Roze, Health, 4 Nov. 2025

The adrenaline clearly got his velocity up while pitching on short rest for the first time since a second elbow ligament reconstruction, but fatigue has a greater effect on command. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 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