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Definition of cartridge

cartridge

/ˈkɑːr.trɪdʒ/
car · tridge

Plural:cartridges
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cartridge Lexical Profile

cartridge Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A sealed, modular container holding materials such as ink, toner, film, or digital data, designed to be inserted into a larger piece of equipment to allow it to function.

Example

"She realized the printer was out of black ink and quickly swapped out the empty cartridge before continuing her work."


2

A tubular metal or plastic casing containing a charge of propellant powder and usually a projectile (such as a bullet), used in firearms.

Example

"The museum displayed a variety of historical rifle cartridges from the late nineteenth century."


3

An electromechanical component on a phonograph tonearm that houses the stylus (needle) and converts the mechanical vibrations from a record's grooves into electrical audio signals.

Example

"Audiophiles often spend significant amounts of money upgrading the magnetic cartridge on their turntables to achieve superior sound quality."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cartridge

• Rhymes for cartridge

Word Origin & Etymology

Late 16th century: an alteration of the French word 'cartouche', originating from Italian 'cartoccio' (a roll of paper), which in turn comes from 'carta' (paper). Early firearm cartridges consisted of a charge of powder and a bullet wrapped together in a paper cylinder.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cartridge. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cartridge
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