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

Where people have muscles and tendons, robots have actuators, compact electric drives at each joint that deliver torque and precise control. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025

In light of Jason Adam’s season-ending tendon rupture, the acquisition of Mason Miller is proving especially timely. —Dennis Lin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025

It's been six long months since Tiger Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon in March, forcing him to withdraw from the PGA Tour season and vanish from public view. —Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

The Steelers liked that Rodgers improved late in the 2024 season after having missed almost all of the 2023 season with a torn Achilles tendon. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 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