: a case or container that holds a substance, device, or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that usually can be easily changed: such as
a
: a tube (as of metal) containing a complete charge for a firearm and usually an initiating device (such as a primer)
b
: a case containing an explosive charge for blasting
c
: an often cylindrical container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus
d
e
: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm
f
: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and used as a computer storage medium
g
: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
Examples of cartridge in a Sentence
The printer needs a new ink cartridge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier this week, the makers of the popular Mig Flash cartridge, which allows users to play Switch games loaded via an SD card without modifying the console itself, issued a firmware update enabling the cards to run original Switch games on the Switch 2.
—
ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025
So Far The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time
Palao ended up returning with some ballpoint pens, and Stone took the ink cartridges out of them.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Originally released in 1987 in Japan, the PC Engine started off life as a cartridge console, with its own HuCards storage setup.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Investigators recovered a 9 mm handgun at the scene, as well as 21 expended cartridge casings and a firearm magazine, the complaint stated.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
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.
ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025
So Far The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time
Palao ended up returning with some ballpoint pens, and Stone took the ink cartridges out of them.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Originally released in 1987 in Japan, the PC Engine started off life as a cartridge console, with its own HuCards storage setup.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Investigators recovered a 9 mm handgun at the scene, as well as 21 expended cartridge casings and a firearm magazine, the complaint stated.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartridge
Cite this Entry
“Cartridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cartridge
noun
car·tridge
ˈkär-trij 
: a case or container that holds a substance or device which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that can be easily changed: as
a
: a tube containing a complete charge for a firearm
b
: a holder for photographic film
c
: a device on a phonograph that changes vibrations of the needle into electrical signals
d
: a case for holding a magnetic tape or disk
e
: a case for holding integrated circuits containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share