ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈli-gə-mənt 

1

: a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place

2

: a connecting or unifying bond

… the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind.

—Edmund Burke

ligamentous

ˌli-gə-ˈmen-təs 

adjective

Examples of ligament in a Sentence

He sprained ligaments in his knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury (which is not expected to keep him out long-term) whereas Santos has had most of the summer to bed into the squad. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Similarities Clams, mussels, and oysters are soft-bodied aquatic animals protected by a shell made of two halves joined at a hinge by a ligament. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Pain, swelling around a joint, and stiffness in the muscles or ligaments around the joint are just some reasons movement may become restricted. — Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026

LaFleur has been coy about giving the exact status of the injury — whether there was a fracture or there is ligament or other soft tissue damage. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ligamentum, from Latin, band, tie, from ligare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ligament

• anterior cruciate ligament
• cruciate ligament
• medial collateral ligament
• posterior cruciate ligament
• suspensory ligament
• ulnar collateral ligament
• ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Kids Definition

ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈlig-ə-mənt 

: a tough band of tissue that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place in the body

Etymology

Middle English ligament "connecting tissue, ligament," derived from Latin ligamentum "band, something used for tying," from ligare "to bind, tie" — related to ally

Medical Definition

ligament

noun

lig·​a·​ment ˈlig-ə-mənt 

1

: a tough band of tissue that serves to connect the articular extremities of bones or to support or retain an organ in place and is usually composed of coarse bundles of dense white fibrous tissue parallel or closely interlaced, pliant, and flexible, but not extensible

2

: any of various folds or bands of pleura, peritoneum, or mesentery connecting parts or organs