marrow

1 of 2

noun (1)

mar·​row ˈmer-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce marrow (audio)
ˈma-(ˌ)rō
1
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 traditionClinton Rossiter
3
chiefly British : vegetable marrow
marrowy
ˈmer-ə-wē How to pronounce marrow (audio)
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
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.
Noun
Some of those cells migrate to the bone marrow, which provides safe haven for their long-term antibody production. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 11 Oct. 2024 Eaten together, on a warm masa tortilla , the marrow and the birria nearly overwhelm each other, but both are kept just in balance by the snap of pickled onion and the sharp bite of cilantro. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024 Stem Cell Injections Stem cells are regenerative medicine obtained from the following: Amniotic fluid Blood Bone marrow Muscle Umbilical cord Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can increase in number or turn into almost any other type of human cell. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024 Here’s how to get to the marrow of Shenandoah’s famed Blue Ridge in one challenging day: this 9-mile loop showcases why the park is a favorite escape for East Coasters. Outside Online, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for marrow 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of marrow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near marrow

Cite this Entry

“Marrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marrow. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

marrow

noun
mar·​row
ˈmar-ō
1
b
: the substance of the spinal cord
2
: the innermost, best, or essential part : core

Medical Definition

marrow

noun
1
2
: the substance of the spinal cord
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!