ligament
noun
lig·a·ment
ˈli-gə-mənt 
1
: a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place
2
: a connecting or unifying bond
the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind—
Edmund Burke
Edmund BurkeExamples of ligament in a Sentence
He sprained ligaments in his knee.
Recent Examples on the Web
Specific injuries, like muscle strains, can affect the ligaments in your spine and cause back pain.
—Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024
Freeman likely suffered a Grade 2 tear of the ligament last month.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Fans call for Valenzuela statue at Dodger Stadium Nov. 1, 2024
His promising 2022 season with the Dodgers ended in June because of a torn ligament in his left knee.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
The next year, Embiid tore a ligament in his right thumb and had a concussion and orbital fracture during the postseason.
—Tim Casey, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ligament 
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Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024
Freeman likely suffered a Grade 2 tear of the ligament last month.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Fans call for Valenzuela statue at Dodger Stadium Nov. 1, 2024
His promising 2022 season with the Dodgers ended in June because of a torn ligament in his left knee.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
The next year, Embiid tore a ligament in his right thumb and had a concussion and orbital fracture during the postseason.
—Tim Casey, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ligament
Dictionary Entries Near ligament
Cite this Entry
“Ligament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ligament. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ligament
noun
lig·a·ment
ˈlig-ə-mənt
: a tough band of tissue that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place in the body
Etymology
Middle English ligament "connecting tissue, ligament," derived from Latin ligamentum "band, something used for tying," from ligare "to bind, tie" — related to ally
Medical Definition
ligament
noun
lig·a·ment
ˈlig-ə-mənt
1
: a tough band of tissue that serves to connect the articular extremities of bones or to support or retain an organ in place and is usually composed of coarse bundles of dense white fibrous tissue parallel or closely interlaced, pliant, and flexible, but not extensible
2
: any of various folds or bands of pleura, peritoneum, or mesentery connecting parts or organs
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