ligament

noun lig·a·ment \ˈli-gə-mənt\

: a tough piece of tissue in your body that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place

Full Definition of LIGAMENT

: a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place

: a connecting or unifying bond <the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind — Edmund Burke>

— lig·a·men·tous \-ˈmen-təs\ adjective

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Origin of LIGAMENT

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ligamentum, from Latin, band, tie, from ligare

First Known Use: 14th century

LIGAMENT Defined for Kids

ligament

noun lig·a·ment \ˈli-gə-mənt\

Definition of LIGAMENT for Kids

: a tough band of tissue that holds bones together or keeps an organ in place in the body

Medical Dictionary

ligament

noun lig·a·ment \ˈlig-ə-mənt\

Medical Definition of LIGAMENT

: 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

: any of various folds or bands of pleura, peritoneum, or mesentery connecting parts or organs