cartilaginous

adjective

car·​ti·​lag·​i·​nous ˌkär-tə-ˈla-jə-nəs How to pronounce cartilaginous (audio)
: composed of, relating to, or resembling cartilage
The external nose has a cartilaginous framework.

Examples of cartilaginous in a Sentence

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.
Teeth are the only widely available record of prehistoric sharks, since the cartilaginous bodies of the predatory fish do not preserve easily. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024 Sharks possess a cartilaginous skeleton, which is lighter and more flexible than bone. Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 Over the next seven days, viewers will be served a monstrous helping of Great Whites, hammerheads, and many more cartilaginous carnivores. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 July 2024 The commercial value of these cartilaginous appendages is so great that fishers won’t waste space in the bilges of vessels by keeping the entire fish. Angela Posada-Swafford, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for cartilaginous 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cartilaginous was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cartilaginous

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

cartilaginous

adjective
car·​ti·​lag·​i·​nous ˌkärt-ᵊl-ˈaj-ə-nəs How to pronounce cartilaginous (audio)
: of, relating to, or resembling cartilage

Medical Definition

cartilaginous

adjective
car·​ti·​lag·​i·​nous -nəs How to pronounce cartilaginous (audio)
: composed of, relating to, or resembling cartilage

More from Merriam-Webster on cartilaginous

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!