: 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
: an often cylindrical container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus
d
e
: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm
f
: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and used as a computer storage medium
g
: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
Examples of cartridge in a Sentence
The printer needs a new ink cartridge.
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the Russians, different versions carry 12-guage or 16-guage cartridges and have an effective range against drones of 20 meters/22 yards.
—
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Customers who have bought Nintendo Switch games from third-party retailers have reported that some cartridges have been replaced by googly eyes.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Then there’s the precision trimming blade on the backside of the cartridge head, allowing for easy line-ups or fine tunings (like any stubble right under the nose that might be hard to reach with a standard cartridge).
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 13 May 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.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Customers who have bought Nintendo Switch games from third-party retailers have reported that some cartridges have been replaced by googly eyes.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Then there’s the precision trimming blade on the backside of the cartridge head, allowing for easy line-ups or fine tunings (like any stubble right under the nose that might be hard to reach with a standard cartridge).
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 13 May 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.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 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 28 May. 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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