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
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But what scientists know about the extinct creature has been almost entirely determined from fossil teeth—since paleontologists have yet to discover a complete megalodon, and the animals’ cartilaginous skeletons don’t preserve well. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025 Sharks have only a cartilaginous skeleton that quickly decays after death, only their hard teeth survive the long and arduous fossilization process. David Bressan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 Demonstrating that cartilaginous jawed fish also have synovial joints opens up the questions of whether their–and our–common ancestor also had them. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2025 These aquatic, semiaquatic or terrestrial creatures are easily recognized thanks to their bony, cartilaginous shells and slow-pace movements. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Cartilaginous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartilaginous. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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

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