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

This protein builds skin, bone, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues and is also crucial for protecting the body’s organs among other biological roles. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024

For thread, early Americans likely used the sinew from the connective tissues of large mammals, Pelton said. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

Most of the body's immune cells are found in the connective tissues of the small intestines, just beneath the epithelium. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024

By attacking them from below, the orcas avoid the whale sharks' tough dorsal skin that has denticles embedded on the outside, with thick connective tissue beneath it. —New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

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)