noun
hamstring
HAMST-rihng
Hamstring (noun) means any of the large tendons or muscles at the back of the thigh, behind the knee. Example: “The sprinter pulled up clutching his hamstring.”
noun
1
Any of the large tendons or muscles at the back of the thigh, behind the knee.
"The sprinter pulled up clutching his hamstring."
verb
1
To severely limit or cripple someone's ability to act.
"Budget cuts have hamstrung the department for years."
"Without proper tools, the team was completely hamstrung."
How to use hamstring
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe muscle/tendon at the back of your thigh, or (as a verb) to cripple someone's ability to act.
Common pairings
pull a hamstring
hamstring the effort
strain a hamstring
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Word forms
- Plural
- hamstrings
- Third person singular
- hamstrings
- Past tense
- hamstrung, hamstringed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sprinter pulled up clutching his _____.
Etymology
From ham ("back of the knee") + string, originally referring literally to cutting the tendon of a horse or animal to disable it — later extended figuratively.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “hamstring” mean?
The word “hamstring” means any of the large tendons or muscles at the back of the thigh, behind the knee. In plain terms, the muscle/tendon at the back of your thigh, or (as a verb) to cripple someone's ability to act.
How do you pronounce “hamstring”?
“Hamstring” is pronounced HAMST-rihng (/ˈhæmstɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hamstring” in a sentence?
Here is “hamstring” used in a sentence: “The sprinter pulled up clutching his hamstring.”
What part of speech is “hamstring”?
Depending on how it is used, “hamstring” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “hamstring” have?
“Hamstring” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of the large tendons or muscles at the back of the thigh, behind the knee.
