tendon

noun

ten·​don ˈten-dən How to pronounce tendon (audio)
: 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
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.
Even aside from those injuries and Moody’s torn patellar tendon, the rest of the roster is far from a perfect picture of health. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 The stiff heel counter of the shoe can dig into the Achilles tendon, and the friction against the heel can cause blisters. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 Last season, franchise left tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon about a week after signing a four-year, $114 million contract extension. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Canales provided an optimistic update on Ekwonu in his recovery from patellar tendon surgery, but stopped short of saying the fifth-year left tackle would be ready for Week 1. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tendon

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tendon was in 1541

Phrases Containing tendon

Browse Nearby Words

tendo
tendon
tendon of Achilles
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Cite this Entry

“Tendon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tendon. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tendon

noun
ten·​don ˈten-dən How to pronounce tendon (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce tendon (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tendon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tendon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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