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

The Vikings similarly struggled in 2023 after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles tendon. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

By contrast, the same injury in an older adult may be affected by reduced balance, lower bone density, tendon degeneration, arthritis, drug side effects or an unrecognized fracture. — Michael Swartzon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

About a month after the ink dried on that contract, Kim, who had slipped on ice and fallen while in his native Korea, had surgery to repair a tendon on his right middle finger. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Penix missed the first two games of the regular season recovering from Achilles tendon surgery last November, during which the Falcons lost twice and the offense did not enter the red zone in either game. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

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