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

West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek has returned to full training after suffering an ankle ligament injury while representing the Czech Republic at the 2026 World Cup. — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Children’s bones grow faster than their tendons and ligaments can adapt. — Michael Swartzon, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa is set to play in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in his first game action since a tearing a knee ligament last September. — CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

The three-time Pro Bowler will have surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles on his left thumb to repair a torn ligament, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Sep. 2026

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