tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part (such as a bone) and transmits the force which the muscle exerts

Examples of tendon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Collagen is a protein in the body that provides structural support to skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. —Devineé Lingo, Health, 23 Oct. 2025

It's found in skin, hair, nails, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025

The team that knocked them out, the Indiana Pacers, is widely expected to take a step back after star guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon during the finals. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025

Jackson, who grabbed three rebounds with three assists to two turnovers while failing to score in the scrimmage, missed the entire 2024-25 season because of a torn patellar tendon. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin tendōn-, tendō, probably derivative of Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch" after Greek tenont-, ténōn "sinew, tendon," from ten-, variant stem of teínein "to stretch, extend" + -ont-, -ōn, deverbal noun suffix — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tendon

• Achilles tendon
• tendon of Achilles

Kids Definition

tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white connective tissue that links a muscle to some other part (as a bone)

Medical Definition

tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part, transmits the force which the muscle exerts, and is continuous with the connective-tissue epimysium and perimysium of the muscle and when inserted into a bone with the periosteum of the bone