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

Especially painful was the elbow ligament tear that will force Rodriguez, a first-time All-Star, to miss all of next season. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Hill suffered damage to multiple knee ligaments (including the ACL) and also sustained a dislocated knee when he was tackled by a Jets defender following a sideline catch in Monday night’s 27-21 win. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

It was reported that Hill dislocated his knee, and tore multiple ligaments including his ACL, putting him out for the rest of the season. —Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Hill dislocated his knee, but further reports on Tuesday said Hill tore multiple ligaments, including an ACL. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 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