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

Lifting puts a lot of pressure on the tendons that connect your wrist and upper arm to the bones in your elbow joint. —Oluseun Olufade, Verywell Health, 20 Sep. 2024

Your Achilles tendon specifically connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

Large differences were also seen in the plantar flexors, the group of muscles in the sole of the foot responsible for things like toe extension and stabilization of the tendons under force: +120% vs the untrained population, +100% vs sub-elite sprinters, and +70% vs elite sprinters. —New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2024

Three months before that World Cup, one the U.S. exited in the round of 16 for the first time, Swanson tore the patella tendon in her left knee. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 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

• 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