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
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In a college landscape that increasingly rewards sustained attention—the connective tissue between executive function, emotional fluency, and meaning-making—this developmental mismatch has real consequences.
—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Responding to the allegation that his mayoral bid was an attempt to publicize his book, Pratt tells the Los Angeles Times that each event occurred independently of each other, though there is some connective tissue.
—Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The Parisian startup sees AI becoming the connective tissue that powers how e-commerce companies operate, scale and grow.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 27 Jan. 2026
Advertising, Vertical Video and Partnerships Rua Aguete argues that advertising is now the connective tissue linking streaming, FAST, social video and microdramas.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
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Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Responding to the allegation that his mayoral bid was an attempt to publicize his book, Pratt tells the Los Angeles Times that each event occurred independently of each other, though there is some connective tissue.
—Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The Parisian startup sees AI becoming the connective tissue that powers how e-commerce companies operate, scale and grow.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 27 Jan. 2026
Advertising, Vertical Video and Partnerships Rua Aguete argues that advertising is now the connective tissue linking streaming, FAST, social video and microdramas.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for connective tissue
Cite this Entry
“Connective tissue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/connective%20tissue. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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)
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