# ligature

/lˈɪɡətʃɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ligature
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a small line that connects two notes in music, showing they should be played smoothly. In surgery, it is a piece of thread used to tie off a blood vessel to stop bleeding.

For teachers: a curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch in musical notation, indicating that they should be played as a single, sustained sound. In a medical context, a suture or thread used to occlude a blood vessel or duct.

## Examples

- The singer used a ligature to make the two notes sound like one.
- During the operation, the surgeon applied a ligature to the artery to prevent any further blood loss before the incision was closed.
- The composer's use of a ligature between the two quarter notes creates a seamless melodic line that contrasts sharply with the rhythmic complexity of the surrounding passage.

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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.