tendon

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noun ten·don \ˈten-dən\

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

Recent Examples of tendon from the Web

He's had some 20 surgeries to transfer and lengthen tendons to give him more mobility.

— devin kelly, Alaska Dispatch News, "In Sitka hospital, a dog runs for help when owner has a seizure", 3 July 2017
Strahm sustained a torn patellar tendon on Saturday while leaping for a chopper from the bat of Minnesota’s Miguel Sano, Royals manager Ned Yost said.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Royals’ Matt Strahm has a torn knee tendon, will seek a second opinion", 2 July 2017
Doctors have told Orr that the strength of the tendons and ligaments should protect his C1 vertebra (which is only 80 percent formed), and that’s why Orr was able to get the green light to play.

— albert breer, The MMQB, "The John Dorsey Dismissal: Where It Went Wrong in K.C.", 29 June 2017
The contraption, which resembles a harness the Terminator might wear, is built with carbon fiber rods that act as extra artificial tendons, giving store workers bodybuilder strength and, the company hopes, increased productivity.

— phil wahba, Fortune, "Lowe’s Goes High on Innovation", 28 June 2017
The doctor saw him right away, and diagnosed the condition as flexor tenosynovitis, an inflammation of the tendon inside of its sheath.

— todd masson, NOLA.com, "Getting poked by shrimp puts fishing guide in hospital", 26 June 2017
On that trip, one night a plate of fried bees, deer tendon, and goat fetus was delivered.

— priya rao, The Cut, "My Adventurous Life: National Geographic Photographer Jodi Cobb", 19 June 2017
Take the tendon from the left hamstring and put in the right arm.

— c jackson cowart, charlotteobserver, "Davidson’s Durin O’Linger beat UNC, Tommy John surgery: Here’s his next bold claim", 8 June 2017
There was tendon and nerve damage to her hand and fingers.

— paul doyle, courant.com, "Three-Time Champ Petra Kvitova Returning To Connecticut Open After Knife Attack", 6 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1541

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

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TENDON Defined for English Language Learners

tendon

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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

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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

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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