tendon

noun ten·don \ ˈten-dən \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of tendon

: 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

See tendon defined for English-language learners

See tendon defined for kids

Recent Examples of tendon from the Web

But after tearing a tendon in his right shoulder, the right-hander likely will have to wait until next season to take the hill again.

— steve gardner, USA TODAY, "Cardinals' Alex Reyes has surgery, will miss rest of 2018 season," 6 June 2018
Extra bases Veteran reliever Pat Neshek threw a bullpen session, his third since suffering a strained flexor tendon in his forearm last month.

— scott lauber, Philly.com, "J.P. Crawford rejoins Phillies, but playing time at shortstop isn't guaranteed," 6 June 2018
When the tendon in a pitcher’s elbow tears, surgeons can replace it with a fresh one from the player’s wrist, forearm, hamstring, or even their toe.

— robbie gonzalez, WIRED, "Why It's Almost Impossible for Fastballs to Get Any Faster," 12 Apr. 2018
If one of the tendons tears near the shoulder, the biceps muscle may sink lower.

— dr. harlan selesnick, miamiherald, "Biceps tendon tear doesn’t always need surgery to be repaired | Miami Herald," 9 Apr. 2018
As the chicken legs roast, the tendons that are no longer attached to the ends will retract.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Dress up chicken drumsticks with maple and cranberry flavors," 16 Jan. 2018
Tamara Bibbs Bloom Trail High School, Steger Bibbs, of Ford Heights, who has Anthrogryposis, a rare genetic disorder that has destroyed her muscles, joints and tendons, never let her physical disability get in her way.

— donna vickroy and susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Class of 2018: A look at some of the Southland's extraordinary high school graduates," 19 May 2018
Achilles' tendon injuries were costly for French defender Laurent Koscielny, Portuguese defensive midfielder Danilo Pareira and Moroccan defender Zouhair Feddal.

— steven goff, chicagotribune.com, "As World Cups nears, injuries to Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and others shift into closer focus," 13 May 2018
Non-surgical treatment options for tendon and ligament injuries typically may involve the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid medication or injections.

— NOLA.com, "Optimum Performance: PRP - A non-surgical option for mild joint trauma," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tendon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tendon

Medieval Latin tendon-, tendo, from Latin tendere to stretch — more at thin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1541

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

TENDON Defined for English Language Learners

tendon

noun

Definition of tendon for English Language Learners

: a tough piece of tissue in your body that connects a muscle to a bone

TENDON Defined for Kids

tendon

noun ten·don \ ˈten-dən \

Definition of tendon for Students

: a band of tough white fiber connecting a muscle to another part (as a bone)

Word Root of tendon

The Latin word tendere, meaning to “stretch” or “to spread,” and its form tentus give us the roots tend, tent, and tens. Words from the Latin tendere have something to do with stretching or spreading. A tent is a temporary shelter made from stretched out fabric. To distend is to stretch outward and swell in all directions. To extend is to stretch out. A tendon is a cord that connects a muscle to another muscle or to a bone and that stretches allowing a joint to bend. Something tense is stretched tight.

Medical Dictionary

tendon

noun ten·don \ ˈten-dən \

medical Definition of tendon

: 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