cartilage

noun

car·ti·lage ˈkär-tə-lij

ˈkärt-lij

: 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

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Example Sentences

She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

Recent Examples on the Web Made with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, these chews help to maintain cartilage and connective tissue. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2022 From opening kickoff to final gun, their performance was sorely lacking as Herbert struggled to play through fractured rib cartilage and the defense wilted under the weight of a 17-minute time-of-possession deficit. —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2022 Type-II collagen is derived from chicken cartilage — not cow bones and hides or fish scales, though. —

Markham Heid, Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 2023 From tablets to powders to liquids, these supplement options can help support healthy cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and more. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2023 Glucosamine helps puppy cartilage and joints to develop strong and healthy. —

Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022 Finally, the Flip N Zip Saw powers through cartilage and bone. —

Jenny Nguyen-wheatley, Outside Online, 2 Dec. 2022 Finings are actually a gelatin that develops after boiling the skin, cartilage, and bones of animals. —

Paul Kita, Men's Health, 10 Nov. 2022 Cartilaginous fish have skeletons made of cartilage and encompass species like sharks and stingrays. —

Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2022 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 4 Feb. 2023.

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Kids Definition

cartilage

noun

car·ti·lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij

ˈkärt-lij

: an elastic tissue which composes most of the skeleton of the vertebrate embryo and much of which is changed to bone later in life

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Medical Definition

cartilage

noun

car·ti·lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij, ˈkärt-lij

: 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

: a part or structure composed of cartilage