Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "catgut" [cat•gut]

  • A tough thin cord made from the treated and stretched intestines of certain animals, especially sheep, and used for stringing musical instruments and tennis rackets and for surgical ligatures. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "catgut" in a sentence
  • "It may have been from a play on the word catgut that so many of these ditties represent pussy in relation with the fiddle."
  • "Although it is called catgut, this is a misnomer as it is sheep or goat intestines and not feline."
  • "They may be called catgut, but they are actually made from sheep intestines."