cartilage

noun car·ti·lage \ ˈkär-tə-lij , ˈkärt-lij \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Definition of cartilage

1 : a usually translucent (see translucent 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

See cartilage defined for English-language learners

See cartilage defined for kids

Examples of cartilage in a Sentence

She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

Recent Examples of cartilage from the Web

Instead of bones, their bodies are supported by cartilage, the same material that’s inside the tip of a human nose.

— the kansas city zoo, kansascity, "New Stingray Bay Touch Tank Exhibit Now Open at KC Zoo (Sponsored)," 27 June 2018
Said injuries includes the bones, glands, blood vessels, ligaments, soft tissues, tendons, cartilage, and nerves of the injured parts.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "Lawyer in pasta assault must pay woman $103G, jury says," 10 June 2018
Tissue includes cartilage, bone, ligaments and skin, and is used in reconstructive surgery and wound healing, as examples.

— as told to patricia r. olsen, New York Times, "‘This Work Helps the Living’," 3 Feb. 2018
Remove the skin and guts, so that just the meat and cartilage remain.

— ellie rushing, Sun-Sentinel.com, "How to cook iguana burritos," 29 June 2018
Most often it’s osteoarthritis (OA), where the cartilage between joints wears down, causing swelling, pain and disability in some.

— consumer reports, Washington Post, "Knee and hip replacements are common, but they’re not always fully successful," 18 June 2018
An elbow that has pain and locking usually has loose pieces of bone or cartilage that float in the joint and get stuck.

— dr. harlan selesnick, miamiherald, "Ballplayer's elbow pain and locking might require surgery," 15 June 2018
What if the organisms that live in our bodies could over time result in damage to cartilage?

— sandy bauers, Philly.com, "How high-tech genomics - and simple aspirin - could make your joint replacement better," 17 May 2018
The biggest concern may be how their knee ligaments and cartilage are holding up.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top 10 medical concerns in NFL draft," 26 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of cartilage

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

CARTILAGE Defined for English Language Learners

cartilage

noun

Definition of cartilage for English Language Learners

: a strong but flexible material found in some parts of the body (such as the nose, the outer ear, and some joints)

CARTILAGE Defined for Kids

cartilage

noun car·ti·lage \ ˈkär-tə-lij \

Definition of cartilage for Students

: 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

Medical Dictionary

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