noun

hamstring

HAMST-rihng

noun

Any of the large tendons or muscles at the back of the thigh, behind the knee.

"The sprinter pulled up clutching his hamstring."

verb

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 notes

In 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

Word Forms

hamstrung past tense, hamstringed past tense, hamstrings plural, hamstrings singular

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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.