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
Rice was a breakout star for the Chiefs last season but legal troubles and an injury to his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee have sidelined him.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025
Moyes recently saw another loanee, Orel Mangala, ruled until the end of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage in the recent 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
Miller is out for the season after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist.
—Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
Fox has been dealing with ligament damage in his left pinky finger all season.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
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Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025
Moyes recently saw another loanee, Orel Mangala, ruled until the end of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage in the recent 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
Miller is out for the season after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist.
—Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
Fox has been dealing with ligament damage in his left pinky finger all season.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ligament
Dictionary Entries Near ligament
Cite this Entry
“Ligament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ligament. Accessed 20 Feb. 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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