marrow

1 of 2

noun (1)

mar·​row ˈmer-(ˌ)ō 

ˈma-(ˌ)rō

1

a

: bone marrow

b

: the substance of the spinal cord

2

a

: the choicest of food

b

: the seat of animal vigor

c

: the inmost, best, or essential part : core

… personal liberty is the marrow of the American tradition.

—Clinton Rossiter

3

chiefly British : vegetable marrow

marrowy

ˈmer-ə-wē 

ˈma-rə-

adjective

see also:

to the marrow

marrow

2 of 2

noun (2)

chiefly Scotland

: one of a pair

Examples of marrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Our arrival in the Madawaska River country of eastern Ontario, near Combermere, was noteworthy only for the snow flurries and marrow-chilling gales that howled down from Hudson Bay to greet us. — Harry H. Edel, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

The marrow transplant and lung issues have forced another recovery. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Most wild animals are extremely lean, so hunter-gatherers crave the fat-rich parts of the body, including the marrow and liver. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026

His new marrow engrafted quickly, and aside from some recurrent adenovirus, his recovery went remarkably well. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English marowe, from Old English mearg; akin to Old High German marag marrow, Sanskrit majjan

Noun (2)

Middle English marwe, marrow

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1516, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing marrow

• bone marrow
• chilled to the bone/marrow
• red marrow
• to the marrow
• vegetable marrow

Rhymes for marrow

• aero
• faro
• garo
• narrow
• pharaoh
• sparrow
• taro
• bolero
• bracero
• estero
• herero
• montero

Kids Definition

marrow

noun

mar·​row

ˈmar-ō

1

a

: bone marrow

b

: the substance of the spinal cord

2

: the innermost, best, or essential part : core

Medical Definition

marrow

noun

mar·​row ˈmar-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) 

1

: bone marrow

2

: the substance of the spinal cord