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
Yellow bone marrow: This portion of the bone marrow comprises fat cells, immature bone, and cartilage cells that will eventually help remodel, renew, and strengthen your bones.
—
Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
Knowing that jumping workouts may have the potential to reinforce cartilage in the knee, scientists are now determined to figure out how else physical activity can promote cartilage health for both astronauts and those who remain here on Earth.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
The bones are stacked on top of each other, separated by spongy cartilage called intervertebral discs.
—Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2025
During embryonic development, the cartilage of fish gills and the cartilage of the mammalian external ear arise from the same cells.
—Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartilage
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Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
Knowing that jumping workouts may have the potential to reinforce cartilage in the knee, scientists are now determined to figure out how else physical activity can promote cartilage health for both astronauts and those who remain here on Earth.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
The bones are stacked on top of each other, separated by spongy cartilage called intervertebral discs.
—Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2025
During embryonic development, the cartilage of fish gills and the cartilage of the mammalian external ear arise from the same cells.
—Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 9 Jan. 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 Mar. 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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