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 unidentified man opened fire at Teotihuacán, an ancient archaeological site north of Mexico City, and then took his own life, Mexico's Security Cabinet wrote on X — adding that a firearm, a bladed weapon and live cartridges were found at the scene. —Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

One subset of varmint rounds are cartridges that don't use bullets. —David Szondy april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026

Accepted medications that can be disposed of at the event include tablets, capsules and other solid forms of prescription drugs, patches, vaping devices and cartridges with lithium batteries removed, prescription ointments, pet medications and vitamins. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Syringe cartridges modified to carry live ants are displayed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport law courts in Nairobi on March 17. —Reuters, NBC news, 16 Apr. 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