rotator cuff
noun
: a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of the capsule of the shoulder joint blended with tendons and muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the head of the humerus
Examples of rotator cuff in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sholes, who had a BB gun tucked beneath his shirt that day but never pointed it at law enforcement, suffered tears of the ACL, meniscus, rotator cuff and bicep, among other injuries.
—
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Signed a minor league deal with the Padres in January but suffered a torn capsule and strained subscapula in his right shoulder, related to the torn rotator cuff sustained a year earlier.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
In terms of injuries to the muscles, joints and ligaments, researchers found that injuries to the knees, back, calves and shoulders (especially rotator cuff injuries) were most common, along with calf and back strains.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025
Reports have indicated that Rollins may require rotator cuff surgery.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotator cuff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Signed a minor league deal with the Padres in January but suffered a torn capsule and strained subscapula in his right shoulder, related to the torn rotator cuff sustained a year earlier.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
In terms of injuries to the muscles, joints and ligaments, researchers found that injuries to the knees, back, calves and shoulders (especially rotator cuff injuries) were most common, along with calf and back strains.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025
Reports have indicated that Rollins may require rotator cuff surgery.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotator cuff
Cite this Entry
“Rotator cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotator%20cuff. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rotator cuff
noun
: a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of part of its capsule blended with tendons of the subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and teres minor muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the humerus
called also musculotendinous cuff
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share