connective tissue

noun

: a tissue of mesodermal origin that consists of various cells (such as fibroblasts and macrophages) and interlacing protein fibers (as of collagen) embedded in a chiefly carbohydrate ground substance, that supports, ensheathes, and binds together other tissues, and that includes loose and dense forms (such as adipose tissue, tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses) and specialized forms (such as cartilage and bone)

Examples of connective tissue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But those Comets became part of the connective tissue of soccer’s growth here. —Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan The connective tissue between Michigan’s gargantuan frontcourt and skilled backcourt, Lendeborg is the versatile destroyer that gives Dusty May tremendous lineup flexibility. —Jim Root, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Dairy Dairy, such as cheese, milk, and eggs, does not contain connective tissue and, therefore, has no collagen. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026

Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for connective tissue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

connective tissue

noun

: a tissue (as bone, cartilage, or tendon) that forms a supporting framework for the body or its parts and has protein fibers between the cells composing it

Medical Definition

connective tissue

noun

con·​nec·​tive tissue kə-ˌnek-tiv- 

: a tissue of mesodermal origin that consists of various cells (as fibroblasts and macrophages) and interlacing protein fibers (as of collagen) embedded in a chiefly carbohydrate ground substance, that supports, ensheathes, and binds together other tissues, and that includes loose and dense forms (as adipose tissue, tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses) and specialized forms (as cartilage and bone)