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
An alligator's diet can include chicken liver, rats and animal parts, including bones and cartilage.
—
Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
These are areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow the bones to grow longer and wider.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Hall had surgery in January 2024 to address a cartilage defect in her knee.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
Modern bioprinters, such as one developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne, can produce multiple types of structures that mimic a wide range of tissues, from soft skin to firmer cartilage and bone.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartilage
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Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
These are areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow the bones to grow longer and wider.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Hall had surgery in January 2024 to address a cartilage defect in her knee.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
Modern bioprinters, such as one developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne, can produce multiple types of structures that mimic a wide range of tissues, from soft skin to firmer cartilage and bone.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 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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