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

That matters because dining is often the connective tissue of an experience. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Those partnerships – with creators, original-work publishers, directors, and local licensees in international markets – are, Nishimoto says, the connective tissue that makes the whole operation function. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 July 2026

He was diagnosed with a disease called Marfan syndrome, which generally involves mutations in a gene that helps build connective tissue in the body. — Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Those shows would later prove to be the connective tissue feeding into Disney’s live-action Star Wars universe. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 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)