- hamstring⇄hamstring, noun, verb, -strungor-stringed,-stringing.
- hamstring⇄noun 1. either one of the two tendons at the back of the knee in human beings.
2. the great tendon at the back of the hock of a four-footed animal. - hamstring⇄v.t. 1. to cripple by cutting the hamstring or hamstrings.
2. (Figurative.) to destroy the activity or efficiency of; cripple; disable.
Ex. If this continues, it could seriously hamstring efforts to step up the development of U.S. scientists