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

The fifth quarterback under contract, Deshaun Watson, is out indefinitely while recovering from a second Achilles tendon tear. —Zac Jackson, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

The Browns had five picks in the first three rounds and have a clear need at quarterback after the team got little production out of Deshaun Watson, who will miss the upcoming season with a torn Achilles tendon. —Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025

Reid said Simmons would’ve been been a top five or 10 pick if the 6-5, 310-pound Ohio State offensive tackle had not torn his patellar tendon last year. —Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

On Thursday, Reid referenced former Philadelphia Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter, who missed the 2004 and 2005 seasons after tearing the patellar tendon in his knee. —Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 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