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

Along with her gastroparesis, Jacqueline has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, as well as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia (a neurological facial pain disorder) and primary immunodeficiency. —Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024

Risk factors for the condition include connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. —Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024

And Versailles also has some connective tissue to that concept because around the time the French Revolution, the start of the French Revolution, there was a 6,000-strong march that included a lot of women who were protesting about rising prices. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024

But at its best, Hilma shares qualities with other experimental musical theater performances like Heather Christian’s ravishing Oratorio for Living Things, which debuted in 2022 and sought out the connective tissue between the quantum, human, and cosmic. —Rhoda Feng, ARTnews.com, 9 Aug. 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)