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

With only two tendons, the robot can independently control multiple bending sections, producing billions of possible shapes. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025

With Murray likely out for most or all of the season recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, this core won't have enough firepower to win much for a bit. —Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

This helps improve ankle stability (how strong and sturdy your ankle is during movement) and build strength through the smaller ligaments and tendons of your feet. —Jakob Roze, Health, 4 Nov. 2025

Fullkrug was twice sidelined for nearly three months last season, first with an achilles tendon problem and then with a hamstring injury. —Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 3 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