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Definition of ligament

ligament

/ˈlɪɡ.ə.mənt/
lig · a · ment
Plural:ligaments
•
Adjective:ligamentous
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ligament Lexical Profile

ligament Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A tough, fibrous band of connective tissue that connects bones or cartilages at a joint, providing structural stability and limiting excessive movement.

Example

"The athlete underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee."

2

A unifying bond or tie that holds individuals, groups, or elements together.

Example

"Shared values and cultural traditions act as the primary ligament of a resilient community."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for ligament
Antonyms
View all antonyms for ligament

Word Nuance & Usage

In anatomical contexts, 'ligament' is frequently confused with 'tendon'; a ligament connects bone to bone, whereas a tendon connects muscle to bone.

• Nearby Words

liftgate
liftman
liftoff
ligament
liger
light
lightbox

Word Origin & Etymology

Late Middle English: from Latin ligamentum, from ligare 'to bind'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ligament. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ligament
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