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

So far, 2025 has been no exception, with a ruptured Achilles tendon and a back surgery postponing his return to the courses indefinitely. —Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Partnering with Tyne Stecklein in her only run on the show, the duo finished in 11th place after Nye injured his tendon during rehearsals. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

The redshirt-sophomore guard had struggled in his return to the court this season after missing all of last year with a torn patellar tendon. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Nov. 2025

Najee Harris went out for the season because of an Achilles tendon injury in Week 3. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 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