cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkär-tə-lij 

ˈkärt-lij

1

: a usually translucent (see translucent sense 1) somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (such as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Examples of cartilage in a Sentence

She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is more research supporting the use of collagen supplements to improve joint pain and movement, and to fortify cartilage and bones. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026

Her plastic surgeon in Seoul adopted a common strategy of removing the silicone and using cartilage from Charlene's ribs to form the bridge of the nose. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

The disjointed nature of the pelvis, the vertebrae at the base of the spine and the ribs indicate that the pelvis and cartilage, meanwhile, could not yet support the animal’s weight, as would be expected of an individual that had yet to hatch. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026

Stem cells are important for this work, as they can be induced to transform into a wide variety of cell types, and the Scripps program would use a two-step process to create transplantable cartilage. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cartilage

• corniculate cartilage
• hyaline cartilage

Kids Definition

cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij 

ˈkärt-lij

1

: an elastic tissue which composes most of the skeleton of the vertebrate embryo and much of which is changed to bone later in life

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Medical Definition

cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij, ˈkärt-lij 

1

: a usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage