: 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
Mexican authorities seized 24 doses of methamphetamine, a bag of marijuana, four cartridges, three cellphones, bank cards, a wallet, and various forms of identification from the Tijuana home, the Mexican Navy Secretariat, which was part of the operation, said on Sunday.
—
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Joe had purchased the gun because of its powerful air-cartridge system.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
The headrest of the front passenger seat where Rocha was sitting was damaged, and several 9 mm cartridge casings were found near the Mansfield Highway and Seminary Drive intersection.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
When the 2018 shooting happened in Cheltenham Township, one fired cartridge casing (FCC) was recovered from the scene and entered in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), officials said.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Joe had purchased the gun because of its powerful air-cartridge system.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
The headrest of the front passenger seat where Rocha was sitting was damaged, and several 9 mm cartridge casings were found near the Mansfield Highway and Seminary Drive intersection.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
When the 2018 shooting happened in Cheltenham Township, one fired cartridge casing (FCC) was recovered from the scene and entered in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), officials said.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
Cite this Entry
“Cartridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
