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

Timberwolves players arrived for the game wearing DiVincenzo’s jersey to honor the shooting guard, who tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 and rejoined the team Thursday after an out-of-town surgery. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

The reason Wagner and the Magic have to be cautious with the injury is because there have been several instances in the past where players around the league have played on a calf strain and subsequently tore their Achilles tendon. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

The Niners are pushing their chips to the center of the table and betting their entire 2026 season on the repaired Achilles tendon of a 32-year-old. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026

Tests revealed two ruptured tendons and brought him to a tough decision. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 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