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
Year after year, the cartilage piercing—which Rihanna and Kylie Jenner have both added to their ears—has proved to be popular, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
—
Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 25 Jan. 2025
Osteochondral defects of the talus: The cartilage and the talus (the bone at the bottom of the ankle joint) can both become damaged.
—Laura Schober, Health, 16 Jan. 2025
So many people around the world are working on this articular cartilage problem.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
The continued uncertainty around Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has gone more than two and a half years without playing while recovering from a cartilage transplant in his right knee, makes the need for another left winger more pronounced.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage 
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Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 25 Jan. 2025
Osteochondral defects of the talus: The cartilage and the talus (the bone at the bottom of the ankle joint) can both become damaged.
—Laura Schober, Health, 16 Jan. 2025
So many people around the world are working on this articular cartilage problem.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
The continued uncertainty around Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has gone more than two and a half years without playing while recovering from a cartilage transplant in his right knee, makes the need for another left winger more pronounced.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage
Dictionary Entries Near cartilage
Cite this Entry
“Cartilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilage. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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
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