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

: an often cylindrical container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus

d

: cassette sense 2

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

Before Gill's rise to popularity, GameStop had experienced declining sales amid an industrywide pivot from game cartridges to video game streaming and digital downloads. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 7 June 2024

Court documents stated there was no indication of firearms at the residence other than two cartridges found buried beneath junk items. —Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Additionally, officers found shell casings at the crime scene that matched casings in cartridges at Conaway’s residence, according to charging documents. —Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2024

Distillate is a liquid extract of a cannabis plant that is commonly used in vape cartridges and edibles. —Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2024

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

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