: a case or container that holds a substance, device, or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that usually can be easily changed: such as
a
: a tube (as of metal) containing a complete charge for a firearm and usually an initiating device (such as a primer)
b
: a case containing an explosive charge for blasting
c
: a container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus
a printer ink cartridge
d
: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
e
f
: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm
g
: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and formerly used as a computer storage medium
Examples of cartridge in a Sentence
The printer needs a new ink cartridge.
Recent Examples on the Web
The system’s capabilities were demonstrated by imaging a bullet cartridge, capturing micrometer-scale details such as the firing pin impression.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
There’s also an odor neutralizer cartridge that can be placed into the vacuum’s brush roll and is designed to keep foul odors out of the air while cleaning.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
On December 17, the ATF found that cartridge cases from the Utah crime scene linked to a single cartridge case found at the Buzzard residence, authorities said.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
Those games came in chunky cartridge or disk form, ended with credits and forced players to get better—or start over.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
There’s also an odor neutralizer cartridge that can be placed into the vacuum’s brush roll and is designed to keep foul odors out of the air while cleaning.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
On December 17, the ATF found that cartridge cases from the Utah crime scene linked to a single cartridge case found at the Buzzard residence, authorities said.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
Those games came in chunky cartridge or disk form, ended with credits and forced players to get better—or start over.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
Cite this Entry
“Cartridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cartridge
noun
car·tridge
ˈkär-trij 
: a case or container that holds a substance or device which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that can be easily changed: as
a
: a tube containing a complete charge for a firearm
b
: a holder for photographic film
c
: a device on a phonograph that changes vibrations of the needle into electrical signals
d
: a case for holding a magnetic tape or disk
e
: a case for holding integrated circuits containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
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