ACL

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)sē-ˈel

plural ACLs

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that attaches the front of the tibia with the back of the femur and functions especially to prevent hyperextension of the knee and is subject to injury especially by tearing

The athlete tore their ACL during a practice game.

called also anterior cruciate ligament

Examples of ACL in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

However, the absence of Bryan Bresee is sure to be felt after the defensive tackle tore his ACL in training camp. — Takashi Williams, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The team has been without last year’s first-round draft pick Mykel Williams who tore his ACL last November. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Tagovailoa seemed to have an inside track toward the starting job with Penix’s training camp debut delayed because of his recovery from a torn ACL. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 One of them, Austin, tore his right ACL late in training camp. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ACL

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ACL was in 1981

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

acknows

ACL

acle

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Cite this Entry

Style

“ACL.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ACL. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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ACL

noun

Examples of ACL in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

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