anterior cruciate ligament

noun

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that attaches the front of the tibia with the back of the femur and functions especially to prevent hyperextension of the knee and is subject to injury especially by tearing

called also ACL

Examples of anterior cruciate ligament in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During Miami’s game against the Jets, Hill suffered a dislocated knee and tore multiple ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026

In New England a year ago, Chancalay was more groggy, working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee suffered in the middle of the 2024 season and produced six goal contributions (4 scored, 2 assisted) in 26 games. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026

He was joined by Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert (the three teenagers referenced), the latter of whom sustained an anterior cruciate ligament in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026

Late in her career, Street suffered a broken left leg in a race that took place on Friday the 13th in Crans Montana, Switzerland, where Vonn sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a fall at the end of January. —Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anterior cruciate ligament

noun

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that is attached in front to the more medial aspect of the tibia, that passes upward, backward, and laterally through the middle of the knee crossing the posterior cruciate ligament to attach to the femur, that functions to prevent hyperextension of the knee and to keep the tibia from sliding forward in relation to the femur, and that is subject to sports injury especially by tearing

called also ACL