hamstring

American  

[ham-string] / ˈhæmˌstrɪŋ /

noun

1. (in humans and other primates) any of the tendons that bound the ham of the knee.

2. (in quadrupeds) the great tendon at the back of the hock.

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verb (used with object)

hamstrung, hamstringing

1. to disable by cutting the hamstring or hamstrings.

   Synonyms:

   lame, hock, disable, cripple

2. to render powerless or useless; thwart.

   Their efforts were hamstrung by stubborn pride.

hamstring British  

/ ˈhæmˌstrɪŋ /

noun

1. anatomy any of the tendons at the back of the knee

2. the large tendon at the back of the hock in the hind leg of a horse, etc

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verb

1. to cripple by cutting the hamstring of

2. to ruin or thwart

hamstring Scientific  

/ hăm′strĭng′ /

1. A powerful group of muscles at the back of the thigh that arise in the hip and pelvis and insert as strong tendons behind the knee. The hamstring bends the knee and helps to straighten the hip.

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Etymology

Origin of hamstring

First recorded in 1555–65; ham ¹ + string

Example Sentences

In other words, AI will continue to be adopted by more people and companies, but that won’t necessarily benefit the hyperscalers—they will find themselves increasingly hamstrung by electricity constraints.

From Barron's

The Uruguay international suffered an injury in Spurs' Premier League defeat at Bournemouth last week and requires hamstring surgery.

From BBC

Jamaree Salyer, who sat out the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, is set to return at left tackle, giving the Chargers their best starting five.

From Los Angeles Times

Those kinds of worries hamstrung President Joe Biden.

From Barron's

Those kinds of worries hamstrung President Joe Biden.

From Barron's

Related Words

• debilitate
• disable
• hinder
• hobble
• immobilize
• impair
• paralyze
• weaken