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

In other words, the hidden asset is knowledge itself—the connective tissue linking people, data and decisions. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

The space broadcast creates more of the connective tissue linking each project in Eno and Wolfe’s own work, and linking their careers as well. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

The connective tissue can be loose — sometimes thrillingly, sometimes bafflingly so. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025

Um, because, uh, my, connective tissue has asked me not to do that anymore. —Outside Online, 8 Oct. 2025

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)