hamstrings
nounUK /ˈhæm.strɪŋz/
US /ˈhæm.strɪŋz/
The hamstrings are the strong muscles at the back of your upper legs that help you run and jump.
She stretched her hamstrings before the race.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. To hamstring someone means to stop them from doing something or make them unable to act.
The new rules hamstrung the small business.
3. To hamstring an animal or person means to cut the tendons at the back of the knee to stop them from moving.
In old stories, hunters would hamstring the horses.
4. In sports, a hamstring injury is a strain or tear of these muscles.
He missed three games because of a hamstring.