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
May Support Bone Health Silicon supplements may strengthen cartilage and bones.
—
Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
Beyond the bones, the total mass of a whole bird accounts for cartilage and less favorable cuts of meat around the shoulders, neck, and back that are better suited for making stock than presenting on a platter.
—Alma Avalle, Bon Appétit, 28 Oct. 2024
There, waves produced by muscle and breath — the scrape of horsehair on string, or a player’s exhalation rushing into a metal tube — careen from wall to wall, acquiring character from every surface, then beat against cartilage and vibrate against skin.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024
My surgeon had to recreate the tip of my nose by cutting out a piece of my cartilage from my inner septum.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cartilage 
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Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
Beyond the bones, the total mass of a whole bird accounts for cartilage and less favorable cuts of meat around the shoulders, neck, and back that are better suited for making stock than presenting on a platter.
—Alma Avalle, Bon Appétit, 28 Oct. 2024
There, waves produced by muscle and breath — the scrape of horsehair on string, or a player’s exhalation rushing into a metal tube — careen from wall to wall, acquiring character from every surface, then beat against cartilage and vibrate against skin.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024
My surgeon had to recreate the tip of my nose by cutting out a piece of my cartilage from my inner septum.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 4 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 2024.
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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