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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
In the first experiment, the team used HITS-Bio to make a one-cubic-centimeter block from about 600 spheroids of cells able to grow into cartilage.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024
Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage around joints breaks down.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024
It is also said to support joint health, with its collagen and amino acids providing essential building blocks for cartilage, potentially alleviating joint pain and arthritis symptoms.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 26 Dec. 2024
Pedroia underwent a complete cartilage restoration the following offseason but never fully recovered.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
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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
Phrases Containing cartilage
Dictionary Entries Near cartilage
Cite this Entry
“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on cartilage
Nglish: Translation of cartilage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cartilage for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cartilage
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