cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkär-tə-lij How to pronounce cartilage (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My surgeon had to recreate the tip of my nose by cutting out a piece of my cartilage from my inner septum. Athena Sobhan, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 The Bulls have kept Ball under a strict 14- to 16-minute restriction in his first three games back following a two-season absence due to an injury that required three surgeries and the replacement of most of the cartilage in his left knee, including his meniscus. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 Stem cells can enhance the growth of cartilage and supporting tissue, thus improving tissue repair. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024 In recent years, Lee had been playing with Red Dragon Cartel, though an issue with a lack of cartilage in his right hand forced him to focus on pain management and physical therapy to get back into performance shape. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cartilage 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cartilage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near cartilage

Cite this Entry

“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cartilage

noun
car·​ti·​lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij How to pronounce cartilage (audio)
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 How to pronounce cartilage (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on cartilage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!