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

The Heat have been alluding to the injury as a cartilage tear, while Herro has referred to the injury as a rib fracture. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026

Jiménez, 31, missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. —Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026

Doctors told him he’d only suffered minor damage to the hyoid bone in his neck and cricoid cartilage around his voice box. —Outside, 10 Feb. 2026

The procedure kept the ACL, the medial meniscus, and cartilage on the knee’s inner part intact. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cartilage

• corniculate cartilage
• hyaline cartilage

Kids 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