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

Reconstruction means restoring that internal framework with cartilage grafts. — Victoria Oliva, Allure, 23 June 2026

Megalodon’s Body Was Built For Dominance The most immediate problem in reconstructing the megalodon is that sharks are cartilaginous fish, which means that their skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone, which rarely survives fossilization. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Those plants impart a greenish hue to their cartilage and fat, but not the shell. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Collagen often comes from bones, skin, cartilage, and connective tissue, so less common cuts and edible bones are especially useful. — Carrie Madormo, Health, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cartilage

• corniculate cartilage
• hyaline cartilage

Kids 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