hamstring

1 of 2

noun

ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio)
1
a
: either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee
b
: any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to flex and rotate the leg and extend the thigh
2
: a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped

hamstring

2 of 2

verb

hamstrung ˈham-ˌstrəŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio) ; hamstringing ˈham-ˌstriŋ-iŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio) ; hamstrings

transitive verb

1
: to make ineffective or powerless : disable
hamstrung by guilt
2
: to deprive of the use of a leg by cutting the leg tendons

Examples of hamstring in a Sentence

Verb The mayor tried to hamstring our efforts by cutting the budget. The company claims it is being hamstrung by government regulations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The latest is to quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Davis, Johnston’s former college teammate at Texas Christian who was out with a hamstring injury, sparked the special teams with a 53-yard punt return that set up the Chargers’ first touchdown drive. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
In Washington, some wonks have worried that the United States’ extensive backing of Ukraine’s war effort has hamstrung its ability to bolster Taiwan’s defense. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 July 2024 The star brings his all, but the whole enterprise is hamstrung from the start — although Hanks gets to show off his romantic leading-man side for the first time in a while opposite a very appealing Sarita Choudhury. 27. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hamstring 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hamstring was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near hamstring

Cite this Entry

“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamstring. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hamstring

1 of 2 noun
ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio)
1
: either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee
2
: any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to extend the thigh, rotate the leg, and bend the knee

hamstring

2 of 2 verb
hamstrung
-ˌstrəŋ
; hamstringing
-ˌstriŋ-iŋ
1
: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons
2
: to make ineffective or powerless : cripple
hamstrung by restrictions

Medical Definition

hamstring

1 of 2 noun
ham·​string ˈham-ˌstriŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio)
1
a
: either of two groups of tendons bounding the upper part of the popliteal space at the back of the knee and forming the tendons of insertion of some muscles of the back of the thigh
2
: a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped corresponding to the human Achilles tendon

hamstring

2 of 2 transitive verb
hamstrung -ˌstrəŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio) ; hamstringing -ˌstriŋ-iŋ How to pronounce hamstring (audio)
: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons
folklore has it that wolf packs try to hamstring their preyJohn Madson

More from Merriam-Webster on hamstring

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!