ligament
noun
lig·a·ment
ˈli-gə-mənt 
1
: a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place
2
: a connecting or unifying bond
the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind—
Edmund Burke
Edmund BurkeExamples of ligament in a Sentence
He sprained ligaments in his knee.
Recent Examples on the Web
The torque tore the medial patellofemoral ligament in the 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman’s right knee and dislocated his kneecap momentarily.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 29 May 2025
He was scheduled to undergo 6 a.m. surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right wrist.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Flat Feet As your feet age, connective tissues called ligaments can begin to stretch, reducing the height of your arch and leading to a condition commonly known as flat feet (pes planus).
—Catherine Moyer, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
The Warriors announced Thursday that Moses Moody, 22, underwent surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ligament
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Mike Defabo, New York Times, 29 May 2025
He was scheduled to undergo 6 a.m. surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right wrist.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Flat Feet As your feet age, connective tissues called ligaments can begin to stretch, reducing the height of your arch and leading to a condition commonly known as flat feet (pes planus).
—Catherine Moyer, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
The Warriors announced Thursday that Moses Moody, 22, underwent surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ligament
Cite this Entry
“Ligament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ligament. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ligament
noun
lig·a·ment
ˈlig-ə-mənt
: a tough band of tissue that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place in the body
Etymology
Middle English ligament "connecting tissue, ligament," derived from Latin ligamentum "band, something used for tying," from ligare "to bind, tie" — related to ally
Medical Definition
ligament
noun
lig·a·ment
ˈlig-ə-mənt
1
: a tough band of tissue that serves to connect the articular extremities of bones or to support or retain an organ in place and is usually composed of coarse bundles of dense white fibrous tissue parallel or closely interlaced, pliant, and flexible, but not extensible
2
: any of various folds or bands of pleura, peritoneum, or mesentery connecting parts or organs
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