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
Ball is the first NBA player to ever successfully return to the league following a knee cartilage transplant.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
Over time, the cartilage that cushions our joints can wear down, leading to pain and immobility.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
The hormone estrogen, which helps reduce inflammation and maintain cartilage, naturally decreases as women hit menopause.
—Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 16 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for cartilage 
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Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
Over time, the cartilage that cushions our joints can wear down, leading to pain and immobility.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
The hormone estrogen, which helps reduce inflammation and maintain cartilage, naturally decreases as women hit menopause.
—Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 16 Jan. 2025
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
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 12 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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