cartilage

noun

car·ti·lage | \ˈkär-tə-lij,

ˈkärt-lij\

Definition of cartilage

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

Doctors at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas performed a total left ear reconstruction which included taking cartilage from the patient's ribs. — Brett Molina, USA TODAY, "This soldier's new ear was grown under her skin," 10 May 2018 There, the cartilage can grow into a functional ear, complete with nerve endings and blood vessels. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Doctors Grow Replacement Ear Inside Patient's Arm," 10 May 2018 In sisig baboy, the chef, Carmen Sta Maria (pronounced Santa Maria), foregoes the usual pig ears, jowl and snout for pork belly and crumbled chicharrón, to evoke the crunch, if not the chewiness, of cartilage. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, "A Filipino Specialty Best Paired With a Brew in the East Village," 5 July 2018 Doctors take cartilage from Burrage’s ribs and mold it into an ear shape. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Doctors Grow Replacement Ear Inside Patient's Arm," 10 May 2018 The meniscus is made up of cartilage in the knee and can sometimes be connected to an MCL injury. — Tania Ganguli, latimes.com, "Lonzo Ball awaits more information on left meniscus, but injury isn't considered serious," 30 June 2018 Instead of bones, their bodies are supported by cartilage, the same material that’s inside the tip of a human nose. — The Kansas City Zoo, kansascity, "New Stingray Bay Touch Tank Exhibit Now Open at KC Zoo (Sponsored)," 27 June 2018 Said injuries includes the bones, glands, blood vessels, ligaments, soft tissues, tendons, cartilage, and nerves of the injured parts. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "Lawyer in pasta assault must pay woman $103G, jury says," 10 June 2018 Tissue includes cartilage, bone, ligaments and skin, and is used in reconstructive surgery and wound healing, as examples. — As Told To Patricia R. Olsen, New York Times, "‘This Work Helps the Living’," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cartilage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for cartilage

The first known use of cartilage was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for cartilage

cartilage

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cartilage

: a strong but flexible material found in some parts of the body (such as the nose, the outer ear, and some joints)

See the full definition for cartilage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cartilage

noun

car·ti·lage | \ˈkär-tə-lij

Kids Definition of cartilage

: tough flexible tissue that makes up most of the skeleton of vertebrates during early development and except for in a few places in the body (as the nose or outer ear) is replaced by bone

cartilage

noun

car·ti·lage | \ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij, ˈkärt-lij

Medical Definition of cartilage

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