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
Stem cells can enhance the growth of cartilage and supporting tissue, thus improving tissue repair.
—
Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024
In recent years, Lee had been playing with Red Dragon Cartel, though an issue with a lack of cartilage in his right hand forced him to focus on pain management and physical therapy to get back into performance shape.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
The replacement cartilage in his knee turns 2 in May.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024
There’s been no timeline offered for captain Gabe Landeskog, who is into the 17th month of his rehab process after knee cartilage replacement surgery.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage 
Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024
In recent years, Lee had been playing with Red Dragon Cartel, though an issue with a lack of cartilage in his right hand forced him to focus on pain management and physical therapy to get back into performance shape.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
The replacement cartilage in his knee turns 2 in May.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024
There’s been no timeline offered for captain Gabe Landeskog, who is into the 17th month of his rehab process after knee cartilage replacement surgery.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cartilage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cartilage
Cite this Entry
“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share