rotator cuff

American  

noun

1. a bandlike structure encircling and supporting the shoulder joint, formed by four muscles attached to and merging with the joint capsule.

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rotator cuff British  

noun

1. anatomy the structure around the shoulder joint consisting of the capsule of the joint along with the tendons of the adjacent muscles

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rotator cuff Scientific  

/ rō′tā′tər /

1. A group of muscles and tendons attaching the shoulder to the scapula (shoulder blade) that provide stability to the shoulder joint and act to rotate the arm. Injuries to the rotator cuff often happen when the arm is repeatedly moved over the head with great force, as when pitching a baseball.

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Example Sentences

After high school, I signed a minor-league contract but tore my rotator cuff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

That injury, which Phillips later said included a tear in the back of his rotator cuff, caused him to miss the early weeks of this past season.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Grace has also been to physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff in her shoulder—a much smoother process.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

He also drew from the unpleasant times, particularly the three months he was sidelined with a strained rotator cuff.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025

So he had had disk surgery, rotator cuff surgery, surgery for a carpal tunnel problem.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times