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

These 27 bones give each hand its rigid, knuckled structure, while joined and surrounded with muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves that connect with other elements of the body and carry out directions from the brain. —Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024

The condition, in which a blood vessel expands or bulges and can eventually rupture, is fairly novel within the game, where tendons, ligaments and soft tissue are usually of more concern. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024

Physical therapists diagnosed Gow with inflamed joints, a strained left Achilles tendon and bone contusions, the complaint states. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024

Soroka was the Braves’ youngest ever Opening Day starter in ’20 but was derailed by injury, tearing his Achilles tendon in his third start. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Kendricks, a nine-year veteran, figured to work well alongside All-Pro Fred Warner and, at the very least, provide cover ahead of the comeback of Dre Greenlaw, who sustained a torn Achilles tendon in last month’s Super Bowl. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024

Star linebacker Dre Greenlaw faces a long road to recovery after suffering an Achilles tendon injury Sunday, but the defense returns nearly all of its top players as well as coordinator Steve Wilks. —C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024

My throat was raw, and the Achilles’ tendon in my right leg started to ache. —Paul Tough, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024

Greenlaw tore his left Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl, and the 49ers must fill vacancies at defensive end and nickel back. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024

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

• tendon of Achilles
• Achilles tendon

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