tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part (such as a bone) and transmits the force which the muscle exerts

Examples of tendon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another possible cause of hip pain is inflammation of the muscles and tendons that surround the hip joint. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024

Nico Hoerner recently underwent flexor tendon surgery, taking him off the trade market. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Tendinitis Tendinitis of the hip is inflammation of tendons—the connective tissues that connect muscles to bones—in and around the hip. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

This happens when the bursa, which is the protective padding where the tendon meets bone, becomes inflamed, Thomas adds. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin tendōn-, tendō, probably derivative of Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch" after Greek tenont-, ténōn "sinew, tendon," from ten-, variant stem of teínein "to stretch, extend" + -ont-, -ōn, deverbal noun suffix — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tendon

• Achilles tendon
• tendon of Achilles

Kids Definition

tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white connective tissue that links a muscle to some other part (as a bone)

Medical Definition

tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən 

: a tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part, transmits the force which the muscle exerts, and is continuous with the connective-tissue epimysium and perimysium of the muscle and when inserted into a bone with the periosteum of the bone