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

Six years later, the sixth generation of consoles ushered in unprecedented CD audio sound technology, a far cry from the 64kb of space on SNES cartridges. —Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2026

None of the firearms matched the cartridge casings found at the scene of the shooting, but the ammunition was the same type, according to the affidavit. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026

Tracking down original hardware and cartridges can cost a small fortune. —Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026

But two German rifle cartridges with iron bullets suggest that Jews hid from the Nazis in this difficult to navigate terrain, further, if not poetically, attesting to the protective ambiance of the forests of Włodawa, Poland, preserving, if not protecting history and also human life. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 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