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
Rolfing is when the body’s fascia — the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs – is manipulated.
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Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
As contracts and correspondence traveled back and forth across the miles, the postal service served as the connective tissue of Western expansion, carrying news of engagements and growing families, of business booms and busts.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Burmese pythons can swallow enormous prey whole Because of extra-stretchy connective tissue between their jaw bones, Burmese pythons can open their mouths wide to swallow prey—even deer and alligators—whole.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Swollen and Painful Joints Joints are made up of collagen-rich connective tissues.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025
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Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
As contracts and correspondence traveled back and forth across the miles, the postal service served as the connective tissue of Western expansion, carrying news of engagements and growing families, of business booms and busts.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Burmese pythons can swallow enormous prey whole Because of extra-stretchy connective tissue between their jaw bones, Burmese pythons can open their mouths wide to swallow prey—even deer and alligators—whole.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Swollen and Painful Joints Joints are made up of collagen-rich connective tissues.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025
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 8 Aug. 2025.
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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