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

Next, that 'connective tissue’ should ideally unite fashion innovation with operational deployment. —Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Patience is key—low and slow cooking gives the connective tissue of the ribs time to break down and the meat time to become juicy, tender, and deep in flavor. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 June 2026

As your abdomen expands to accommodate a growing uterus, your skin and its underlying connective tissues are stretched and your collagen production is impacted, says Suzanne Barnhart, MD, OhioHealth OB/GYN, Pickerington Campus. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 9 June 2026

Unable to store new memories, Leonard develops an elaborate system of documentation involving photographs and tattoos to provide connective tissue to his future self. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 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)