# ligament

/ˈɫɪɡəmənt/ (US) · /lˈɪɡəmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ligament
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. body tissue

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a strong, flexible band of tissue that connects two bones in your body.

For teachers: a short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint.

- The athlete had to stop playing after he tore a ligament in his ankle.
- The surgeon explained that the anterior cruciate ligament is essential for maintaining stability during lateral movements of the knee joint.

Usage: Usually countable; frequently occurs with verbs like 'tear', 'stretch', or 'repair'.

### 2. a binding force

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

something that joins or holds different people or things together.

For teachers: a thing that serves as a bond or connecting link between different entities.

- Shared values are the ligament that holds a community together.
- The historian argued that a common language served as the primary ligament of the empire, uniting diverse cultures under a single administrative framework.

## Examples

- He tore a ligament in his knee while playing soccer.
- The surgeon explained that the ligament would take several months to heal completely after the reconstruction.
- Unlike muscles, which are highly vascular and heal relatively quickly, a damaged ligament receives less blood flow, often resulting in a prolonged and delicate recovery period for the athlete.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.