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

Meanwhile, Towns is the toast of New York after helping lead the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years, and DiVincenzo likely won’t be available until late next season because of a torn Achilles tendon. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Moreover, large mammals reuse significant shares of energy spent running, because a part of the kinetic and potential energy deployed to run is temporarily stored as elastic strain in muscles and tendons and redeployed as elastic recoil. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

The most vulnerable area for injury in a growing body is the growth area, and that includes where tendons attach to bone, like in the knee. — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 22 June 2026

This pair also features plenty of cushioning and a wide, stable base to help reduce strain on the feet and Achilles tendon. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 June 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