bone marrow

noun

: a soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities of most bones and occurs in two forms:

a

: one that is yellowish, consists chiefly of fat cells, and is found especially in the cavities of long bones

b

: one that is reddish, is the chief site of blood cell formation, and occurs in the normal adult in cancellous tissue especially of certain flat bones

called also red marrow

Examples of bone marrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using a procedure that delivers medicine into the bone marrow, the medical team gave Brigland a starting dose of the antivenom Anavip. —Jackie Fortiér, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024

This week, there were reports that Weinstein has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024

Chronic myeloid leukemia is an uncommon form of cancer of the bone marrow, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Chloe Melas, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024

For instance, a patient with a bone marrow transplant is likely more at risk of severe COVID than a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bone marrow

noun

: a soft tissue rich in blood vessels that fills the cavities of most bones and occurs in two forms:

a

: one that is yellowish and fatty and is found especially in long bones (as the femur)

b

: one that is reddish, is the main place where blood cells are formed, and in adults is limited especially to certain flat or short bones (as the ribs)

Medical Definition

bone marrow

noun

: a soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities and cancellous part of most bones and occurs in two forms:

a

: a whitish or yellowish bone marrow that consists chiefly of fat cells and is found especially in the cavities of the long bones

called also yellow marrow

b

: a reddish bone marrow that contains little fat, is the chief site of red blood cell and blood granulocyte formation, and occurs in the normal adult in cancellous tissue especially of certain flat bones

called also red marrow