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

LaVine had surgery to repair a tendon injury in his right pinky finger. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026

And gradual progression, rather than sudden increases in load, further helps reduce the risk of strain or tendon injury. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

Research suggests that the overwhelming majority of adults past middle age have tears or cartilage changes in their knees, or tendon injuries in their shoulders. —Jordan D. Metzl, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026

Right-hander Jhony Brito, who underwent surgery to repair his flexor tendon and attach an internal UCL brace in May, has begun throwing off a mound. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 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