cartilage

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

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

The procedure her surgeon proposed involves replacing the deteriorated cartilage in the thumb joint with a graft from a piece of tendon harvested from the patient’s arm.

— sandra g. boodman, Philly.com, "Medical mystery: Why was her arthritis pain worse after surgery to relieve it?," 27 Aug. 2017
In layman's terms, i-cell causes the enzymes that break down the body's fatty substances and complex carbohydrates to fail, which leads to build up in the joints, soft tissue, cartilage and bone.

— sarah schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Terminally-Ill Baby Saves Mom After Pregnancy Leads to Cervical Cancer Diagnosis," 23 Aug. 2017
Behind him, a nightmarish cartilage slit of mouth gasped above the waterline, then lowered back into the spray.

— peter guest, The Atlantic, "What It's Like to Draw Blood From a Whale Shark," 8 Aug. 2017
David Price didn't debut until May 29 due to elbow inflammation, and is at odds with the media and fan base, reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello has been a dud and Steven Wright is done for the year due to torn cartilage in his left knee.

— SI.com, "Boston Red Sox: A-," 15 July 2017
Kimbrel had to miss last year's All-Star Game after having surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "Huntsville's Craig Kimbrel makes AL All-Star roster," 2 July 2017
The ball and socket are both lined with cartilage, allowing the two parts to glide smoothly against each other for painless motion.

— julie washington, cleveland.com, "Surgical robot aids in hip replacement surgery at St. Vincent (photos, video)," 25 June 2017
Stulberg made an incision into the hip and removed damaged portions of bone and cartilage from the femur.

— julie washington, cleveland.com, "Surgical robot aids in hip replacement surgery at St. Vincent (photos, video)," 25 June 2017
Prior to that, the surgeon already had built Charlotte a new nose using skin from elsewhere on her body and rib cartilage.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "With another surgery, girl mauled by raccoon continues to blossom," 18 June 2017

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

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