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
It's involved in key bodily functions, including stimulating cartilage growth and reducing pain perception.2122
There's conflicting evidence on whether SAM-e is effective for joint pain.
—
Ashley Wong, Health, 2 Jan. 2025
The orcas appear to target their prey's vulnerable ventral side, focusing on the pelvic area where there is less muscle and cartilage.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
After the first two games, Leonard complained of knee swelling and inflammation, and an MRI revealed cartilage damage.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
In the first experiment, the team used HITS-Bio to make a one-cubic-centimeter block from about 600 spheroids of cells able to grow into cartilage.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage 
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Ashley Wong, Health, 2 Jan. 2025
The orcas appear to target their prey's vulnerable ventral side, focusing on the pelvic area where there is less muscle and cartilage.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
After the first two games, Leonard complained of knee swelling and inflammation, and an MRI revealed cartilage damage.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
In the first experiment, the team used HITS-Bio to make a one-cubic-centimeter block from about 600 spheroids of cells able to grow into cartilage.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage
Dictionary Entries Near cartilage
Cite this Entry
“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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