cartridge

noun

car·​tridge ˈkär-trij 

dialectal ˈka-trij

: 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

: a container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus

a printer ink cartridge

d

: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program

a video-game cartridge

e

: cassette sense 2

f

: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm

g

: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and formerly used as a computer storage medium

Examples of cartridge in a Sentence

The printer needs a new ink cartridge.

Recent Examples on the Web

The straight tonearm ending in a (swappable) moving magnet phono cartridge points downward, and mechanical controls to the side are pushed, turned and clicked for playback. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

The cartridges of Super Mario Brothers Duck Hunt he had were made in 1993, long after the company discontinued the bundle in 1991. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Say goodbye to costly cartridge replacements mid-semester with the Canon Pixma G3272 MegaTank printer. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

The pool is also compatible with standard filtration systems, including sand and cartridge filters, so setting it up is simple and doesn’t require specialty parts or professional help. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier cartage, modification of Middle French cartouche

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cartridge

• cartridge belt

Rhymes for cartridge

• partridge

Kids 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