cartilage

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 Officials said the discovery includes six new species and rare preservations of three-dimensional skeletal cartilage. — Sarah Brookbank, The Enquirer, "40 different species of shark fossils found in Mammoth Cave," 15 Oct. 2020 Hydrolyzed collagen comes from bovine bones and cartilage, which are broken down into smaller amino acids for easier absorption and collagen-building. — Jennifer Blair, chicagotribune.com, "The best collagen supplement for men of 2020," 9 Oct. 2020 Embedded in the walls of the cave were parts of the head of an ancient shark, including teeth, the lower jaw and skull cartilage. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "Jaw of 330-Million-Year-Old Shark Discovered in Kentucky Cave," 4 Feb. 2020 Cam Akers was diagnosed with separated cartilage in his ribs and Henderson took advantage by producing 121 total yards on 14 touches and a touchdown. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Fantasy Football Week 3: Add and Drop," 22 Sep. 2020 The labrum is a ring of cartilage that encircles the hip joint socket, helping protect the joint and hold it in place. — Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, "In advance of Chapman’s hip repair Monday, Canha recalls his own surgery," 14 Sep. 2020 One of the men had a strain of the virus that causes hepatitis B; another suffered from yaws, a syphilis-like bacterial infection of the skin, bones and cartilage. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, "New Analysis Suggests These Three Men Were Among the First Africans Enslaved in the Americas," 4 May 2020 Connective tissue typically has very few cells and instead is mostly constructed of various cartilage and other fibers that together form a strong structure that holds your organs in place or to connect one bone to another, or a muscle to a bone. — Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, "Scientists found a ‘new organ,’ but it might not be what you’re expecting," 2 Apr. 2018 Palaeontologists had long assumed that cartilage was the more primitive arrangement. — The Economist, "Palaeontology How the shark forgot his skeleton," 12 Sep. 2020

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

20 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 28 Oct. 2020.

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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

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