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

There’s been no timeline offered for captain Gabe Landeskog, who is into the 17th month of his rehab process after knee cartilage replacement surgery. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2024

Besides a heart attack, there are many other causes of chest pain, including heart inflammation (pericarditis), a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), lung infection (pneumonia), heartburn, or rib cartilage inflammation (costochondritis). —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

Joint and cartilage damage typically develops over many years but can develop quickly for some people. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024

One meta-analysis found that regular stretching is an effective treatment for people with joint immobility from osteoarthritis (cartilage in joints breaks down due to wear and tear or age, causing stiffness, swelling, and pain). —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024

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