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

The disjointed nature of the pelvis, the vertebrae at the base of the spine and the ribs indicate that the pelvis and cartilage, meanwhile, could not yet support the animal’s weight, as would be expected of an individual that had yet to hatch. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026

Treating these small injuries, often caused by sports injuries, can stop the progression toward osteoarthritis, the debilitating condition that occurs when cartilage wears away, causing severe pain and inflammation in the joints. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

According to a study published in Nature in 2026, the specimens were preserved by mineral-rich water and crude oil, a rare process that retained not only bone but also cartilage, skin and traces of ancient proteins. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

In Chicago, Edwards witnessed a girl die from epiglottitis, swelling in the tiny cartilage covering the windpipe that closed her airway. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026

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