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

As a result of Reimold's donation, Whitson's bone marrow transplant was performed in 2016. —Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024

Weinstein's lawyers have previously said he is beset with health problems, ranging from diabetes and high blood pressure to chronic myeloid leukemia (bone marrow cancer). —Staff and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in your bone marrow. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Dec. 2024

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a rare type of cancer of the bone marrow, the Mayo Clinic says. —CBS News, 22 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