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
Excess weight heightens the pressure on the joint, and that increase in stress can possibly hasten the breakdown of cartilage.
—
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Landeskog has had a series of procedures since, including knee cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
In Madrid, doctors examined his cartilage and found a bacteria called staphylococcus had developed, causing an infection.
—Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartilage
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Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Landeskog has had a series of procedures since, including knee cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
In Madrid, doctors examined his cartilage and found a bacteria called staphylococcus had developed, causing an infection.
—Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartilage
Cite this Entry
“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 22 May. 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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