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

People with a thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection who also have features of a connective tissue disease, a family history of aortic disease, or disease before 60. — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026

While Burn's central story can be understood without any prior Evil Dead knowledge, fans of the franchise will likely quickly pick up on the connective tissue that ties the newer movies together—along with a few nods to Raimi's older lore. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 July 2026

The connective tissue that used to generate favors by accident is eroding. — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 10 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

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)