ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tendon

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈtɛndən// UK //tˈɛndən// ten·don

n. a strong, tough cord in your body that connects a muscle to a bone. It helps you move your limbs by pulling on the bone when the muscle gets tight.

n. a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension.


SIMPLE

The athlete rested to heal a sore tendon in his ankle.

CONTEXTUAL

The surgeon repaired the torn tendon to restore full movement to the patient's thumb.

COMPLEX

Chronic overuse can lead to microscopic tears in the tendon, a condition often requiring physical therapy to stimulate collagen production and structural repair.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French tendon or Medieval Latin tendō, from Ancient Greek τένων (ténōn, “sinew, tendon”), modified by association with the verb tendō (“to stretch”). Compare Middle English thenoun.

Usage

Commonly used in medical and sports contexts; often paired with verbs like 'tear', 'strain', or 'rupture'.

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