ham·string
ˈham-ˌstriŋ 
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
hamstrung
ˈham-ˌstrəŋ
; hamstringing
ˈham-ˌstriŋ-iŋ
; hamstrings
; hamstringing
ˈham-ˌstriŋ-iŋ
; hamstrings
1
: to make ineffective or powerless : disable
hamstrung by guilt
2
: to deprive of the use of a leg by cutting the leg tendons
Synonyms
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
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
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 
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
Dictionary Entries Near hamstring
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamstring. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hamstring
1 of 2 noun
ham·string
ˈham-ˌstriŋ
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
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
b
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
; hamstringing
-ˌstriŋ-iŋ
; hamstringing
-ˌstriŋ-iŋ
: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons
folklore has it that wolf packs try to hamstring their prey—John Madson
John MadsonLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share