marrow

1 of 2

noun (1)

mar·​row ˈmer-(ˌ)ō 

ˈma-(ˌ)rō

1

a

: bone marrow

b

: the substance of the spinal cord

2

a

: the choicest of food

b

: the seat of animal vigor

c

: the inmost, best, or essential part : core

personal liberty is the marrow of the American tradition

—Clinton Rossiter

3

chiefly British : vegetable marrow

marrowy

ˈmer-ə-wē 

ˈma-rə-

adjective

marrow

2 of 2

noun (2)

chiefly Scotland

: one of a pair

Phrases

to the marrow

: very deeply : very much : completely and thoroughly

I was wet and chilled to the marrow, till I felt more dead than alive.

—Jack London

Examples of marrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some sided with Dorland, arguing that Larson had betrayed her trust; others sided with Larson, claiming that seeking inspiration from real life is the marrow of great fiction. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2024

This show slurps the marrow out of its many hours the way its vampires suck blood from their victims: sexily, dramatically, full of vim and deranged gusto. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 13 May 2024

There are sages, agaves and aloes, along with marrow, buckwheat and yucca. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024

Menu items include chicken liver, roasted marrow bones, and a signature cheeseburger like none other. —Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English marowe, from Old English mearg; akin to Old High German marag marrow, Sanskrit majjan

Noun (2)

Middle English marwe, marrow

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1516, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing marrow

• bone marrow
• chilled to the bone/marrow
• red marrow
• to the marrow
• vegetable marrow

Kids Definition

marrow

noun

mar·​row

ˈmar-ō

1

a

: bone marrow

b

: the substance of the spinal cord

2

: the innermost, best, or essential part : core

Medical Definition

marrow

noun

mar·​row ˈmar-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) 

1

: bone marrow

2

: the substance of the spinal cord