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

LaVine had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his hand around the All-Star break in February and appeared in just 39 games. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Matt Gage, meanwhile, is only expected to miss a couple of weeks with a moderate flexor tendon strain rather a season-ending ligament surgery. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

While a fellow young star, Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, has been out since early May with an injury to the tendon in his right ring finger, the injuries are not entirely comparable. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 July 2026

However, your toes are connected to the rest of your foot through tendons and ligaments. — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026

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