cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkär-tə-lij 

ˈkärt-lij

1

: a usually translucent (see translucent sense 1) somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (such as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Examples of cartilage in a Sentence

She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

This delivery carries equipment to enable ongoing research, such as technology for the first surgical robot on the space station, a 3D cartilage cell culture that maintains healthy cartilage in a lower gravity and a metal 3D printer that will test the capability for printing small metal parts. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

Health Synthetic cartilage is now stronger than the real stuff The synthetic cartilage was made from cellulose fibers — the stuff found in wood — mixed with a goo called polyvinyl alcohol. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

For example, their skeletal system contains a large amount of cartilage instead of bone, and their vertebrae are opisthocoelous, meaning the anterior ones are convex and the posterior ones are concave. —Discover Magazine, 20 June 2024

By this point, the cartilage between the bones has worn away, causing the bones to rub together. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 5 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cartilage

• corniculate cartilage
• hyaline cartilage

Kids Definition

cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij 

ˈkärt-lij

1

: an elastic tissue which composes most of the skeleton of the vertebrate embryo and much of which is changed to bone later in life

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Medical Definition

cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij, ˈkärt-lij 

1

: a usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage