hamstring

[ham-string]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

1. to cripple by cutting the hamstring of

2. to ruin or thwart

hamstring

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamstring¹

First recorded in 1555–65; ham ¹ + string

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamstring¹

C16: _ham ¹ + _string

Example Sentences

When he made his on-field comeback prior to the first Test, against England Lions in an Ashes warm-up match, Wood managed eight overs before suffering tightness in his left hamstring.

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Hazlewood missed the first Test with a hamstring injury and, like Cummins, has been bowling in the nets in Sydney this week.

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The Scarlets back became the first Welshman to score a hat-trick against New Zealand last weekend but sustained a hamstring injury in the 52-26 defeat.

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Hazlewood had not been seen since tweaking his hamstring in a Sheffield Shield clash six days before the opening Test in Perth.

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Denver's Aaron Gordon will be sidelined by a hamstring strain for four to six weeks, the Nuggets announced Sunday.

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Related Words

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