tendon

[ten-duhn]

noun

1. Anatomy.,  a cord or band of dense, tough, inelastic, white, fibrous tissue, serving to connect a muscle with a bone or part; sinew.

2. a reinforcing strand in prestressed concrete.

tendon

/ ˈtɛndən /

noun

1. a cord or band of white inelastic collagenous tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone or some other part; sinew

tendon

1. A band of tough, fibrous, inelastic tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. Tendons are made chiefly of collagen.

tendon

1. A tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscles to bones.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendon¹

1535–45; < Medieval Latin tendōn- (stem of tendō ) < Greek ténōn sinew (spelling with -d- by association with Latin tendere to stretch)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendon¹

C16: from Medieval Latin tendō, from Latin tendere to stretch; related to Greek tenōn sinew

Example Sentences

They had put more on the shoulders of their rookie running back after losing veteran Najee Harris to a torn Achilles tendon in the second quarter of a Week 3 victory over Denver.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One officer described how, if suspects refuse to have their fingerprints taken, he could pull two of their fingers hard to snap the tendons.

Read more on BBC

"No painkillers as well, with their limbs hanging with a piece of skin and the tendon. Brain matter out. Organs are out. It's horrific," she added.

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Running the football will only get tougher for the Chargers, who lost running back Najee Harris to an Achilles tendon injury in the first half.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

San Diego Padres pitcher Jason Adam is out for the season after he ruptured a quad tendon Monday when planting his left foot while trying to field a comebacker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hamstring 
• ligament 
• sinew 
• tissue