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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Dull or sharp pain, sometimes stiffness, along the back of the tendon but typically close to the heel. —

Ashley Mateo, Health, 11 Feb. 2023 He was scheduled for the surgery to repair the tendon the next week. —

Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022 That appeared to be a necessity before the tendon was ripped from Tyron Smith’s knee. —

Dallas News, 27 Aug. 2022 The damaged elbow tendon kept Bergeron out of the lineup for four games in March. —

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2022 Conklin has started 14 games this season for the Browns after returning from a torn patellar tendon suffered last season. —

Dan Labbe, cleveland, 6 Jan. 2023 Forced into a key role by Tyquan Lewis’ torn patellar tendon, Odeyingbo has responded with 3.5 sacks in his last two games. —

The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2022 Among those who have waited decades for the store to finally arrive: Ward 7 D.C. Council member Vincent C. Gray (D), who stood proudly in front of Lidl on Tuesday, despite being one month removed from having surgery on a torn Achilles’ tendon. —

Michael Brice-saddler, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2022 But then Oladipo tore his right quadriceps tendon in January of 2019, and nothing has been the same since. —

Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tendon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of tendon was in 1541

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tendon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tendon. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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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