cartridge

noun

car·​tridge ˈkär-trij 

 dialectal  ˈka-trij

: a case or container that holds a substance, device, or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that usually can be easily changed: such as

a

: a tube (as of metal) containing a complete charge for a firearm and usually an initiating device (such as a primer)

b

: a case containing an explosive charge for blasting

c

: an often cylindrical container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus

d

: cassette sense 2

e

: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm

f

: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and used as a computer storage medium

g

: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program

a video-game cartridge

Examples of cartridge in a Sentence

The printer needs a new ink cartridge.

Recent Examples on the Web

Your first refill is included with this bundle—future packs come with 12 cartridges each, which is enough to make 48 bottles of bubbly. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 9 Dec. 2024

There’s also an odor neutralizer cartridge that can be placed into the vacuum’s brush roll and is is designed to keep foul odors out of the air while cleaning. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

According to tradition, there is a retro cartridge inside which lives an evil entity that is released if the game is played. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

The turntable features a 2M cartridge by Ortofon, white aluminum tonearm, and belt drive motor. —Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier cartage, modification of Middle French cartouche

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cartridge

• cartridge belt

Kids Definition

cartridge

noun

car·​tridge ˈkär-trij 

: a case or container that holds a substance or device which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that can be easily changed: as

a

: a tube containing a complete charge for a firearm

b

: a holder for photographic film

c

: a device on a phonograph that changes vibrations of the needle into electrical signals

d

: a case for holding a magnetic tape or disk

e

: a case for holding integrated circuits containing a computer program

a video-game cartridge