: a case or container that holds a substance, device, or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that usually can be easily changed: such as
a
: a tube (as of metal) containing a complete charge for a firearm and usually an initiating device (such as a primer)
b
: a case containing an explosive charge for blasting
c
: an often cylindrical container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus
d
e
: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm
f
: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and used as a computer storage medium
g
: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
Examples of cartridge in a Sentence
The printer needs a new ink cartridge.
Recent Examples on the Web
The customizable flavor cartridges turn water into zero-calorie, zero-sugar electrolyte drinks, energy drinks and tea.
—
Natalie Wu, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
The cartridge contains a polymer material that traps odor molecules that are later released for chemical analysis.
—Sarah Everts, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
The only real drawback to me is the idea of replacing and mailing in the cartridges.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 11 Feb. 2025
Some dispensers can only take cartridges that are made by the same manufacturer, while others can use off-brand cartridges, too.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cartridge 
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Natalie Wu, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
The cartridge contains a polymer material that traps odor molecules that are later released for chemical analysis.
—Sarah Everts, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
The only real drawback to me is the idea of replacing and mailing in the cartridges.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 11 Feb. 2025
Some dispensers can only take cartridges that are made by the same manufacturer, while others can use off-brand cartridges, too.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cartridge
Dictionary Entries Near cartridge
Cite this Entry
“Cartridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cartridge
noun
car·tridge
ˈkär-trij 
: a case or container that holds a substance or device which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that can be easily changed: as
a
: a tube containing a complete charge for a firearm
b
: a holder for photographic film
c
: a device on a phonograph that changes vibrations of the needle into electrical signals
d
: a case for holding a magnetic tape or disk
e
: a case for holding integrated circuits containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
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