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 cartilage is the part that covers the ends of your bones that form the joint.
—
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 1 May 2025
That could be because running strengthens the muscles surrounding your knees and also stimulates positive changes in the cartilage that protects and cushions the joint.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Many considered the slide too aggressive, and while Pedroia had knee cartilage issues before that, the play was widely seen as contributing to the end of Pedroia’s career.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Overuse, injury, and general wear and tear can damage your knee's cartilage, bone, and related joint structures.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartilage
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Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 1 May 2025
That could be because running strengthens the muscles surrounding your knees and also stimulates positive changes in the cartilage that protects and cushions the joint.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Many considered the slide too aggressive, and while Pedroia had knee cartilage issues before that, the play was widely seen as contributing to the end of Pedroia’s career.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Overuse, injury, and general wear and tear can damage your knee's cartilage, bone, and related joint structures.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartilage
Cite this Entry
“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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