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)

hamstrings, present (3rd person singular) hamstrung, past participle, past hamstringing present participle

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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Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has hamstrung
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have hamstrung
  perfect
• has been hamstringing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• hamstringing
  participle
• is hamstringing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am hamstringing
  progressive 1st person singular
• are hamstringing
  progressive
• hamstrings
  singular 3rd person
• have been hamstringing
  perfect progressive

Past

• had hamstrung
  perfect
• were hamstringing
  progressive plural
• hamstrung
  participle
• had been hamstringing
  perfect progressive
• hamstrung
  simple
• was hamstringing
  progressive singular

Future

• will hamstring
  simple
• will have hamstrung
  perfect
• will have been hamstringing
  perfect progressive
• will be hamstringing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of hamstring

First recorded in 1555–65; ham ¹ + string

Explanation

Your hamstrings are groups of muscles and tendons between your hips and knees. If you pull a hamstring while running or jumping, you'll feel pain at the back of your thigh. Ouch! The hamstring muscle group is one of the most powerful in your body — attached to the knee and hip, these are the muscles and tendons that make it possible for you to run, walk, and jump. It's fairly common for athletes to injure their hamstrings and be (temporarily) immobilized. Fittingly, hamstring is also a verb meaning "render powerless." So an astronaut might complain that a lack of funding will hamstring NASA, making planned Mars voyages impossible.

Example Sentences

He left the game with a bruised right hamstring.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

And his absence will be felt since Davies, sidelined since May 6 with a hamstring injury, is not only the team’s best player but also its captain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

The 38-year-old Messi had not featured for Argentina in the build-up to their title defence after injuring a hamstring playing for Inter Miami in late May.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

He scored five goals and provided three assists in Frankfurt's first five Bundesliga games of last season, only for hamstring injuries to limit his involvement through the winter.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

I massage a spasm from my hamstring as I march past the twelfth floor, and try to recover some of my lost air.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Related Words

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