cartilage

noun

car·​ti·​lage ˈkär-tə-lij How to pronounce cartilage (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
May Support Bone Health Silicon supplements may strengthen cartilage and bones. Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Nov. 2024 Beyond the bones, the total mass of a whole bird accounts for cartilage and less favorable cuts of meat around the shoulders, neck, and back that are better suited for making stock than presenting on a platter. Alma Avalle, Bon Appétit, 28 Oct. 2024 There, waves produced by muscle and breath — the scrape of horsehair on string, or a player’s exhalation rushing into a metal tube — careen from wall to wall, acquiring character from every surface, then beat against cartilage and vibrate against skin. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024 My surgeon had to recreate the tip of my nose by cutting out a piece of my cartilage from my inner septum. Athena Sobhan, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cartilage 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cartilage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near cartilage

Cite this Entry

“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cartilage

noun
car·​ti·​lage ˈkärt-ᵊl-ij How to pronounce cartilage (audio)
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 How to pronounce cartilage (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on cartilage

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