noun
Uncommon
cartridge
KAHT-rihj
Cartridge (noun) means a case containing a bullet and its propellant, ready to be loaded into a firearm. Example: “He loaded a fresh cartridge into the rifle.”
noun
1
A case containing a bullet and its propellant, ready to be loaded into a firearm.
"He loaded a fresh cartridge into the rifle."
2
A small, self-contained unit designed to be easily inserted or replaced in a machine, such as an ink or game cartridge.
"The printer beeped to warn that the ink cartridge was empty."
"Old video game consoles used cartridges instead of discs."
How to use cartridge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA replaceable unit, such as ammunition, ink, or a game disc substitute, designed to slot into a larger device.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
printer cartridge
game cartridge
spent cartridge
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Word forms
- Plural
- cartridges
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He loaded a fresh _____ into the rifle.
Etymology
A corruption of the earlier word "cartage," from French cartouche, ultimately from Latin charta ("paper") — a doublet of "cartouche."
Related words
Rhymes for cartridge
See all rhymes for cartridge →Frequently asked questions
What does “cartridge” mean?
The word “cartridge” means a case containing a bullet and its propellant, ready to be loaded into a firearm. In plain terms, a replaceable unit, such as ammunition, ink, or a game disc substitute, designed to slot into a larger device.
How do you pronounce “cartridge”?
“Cartridge” is pronounced KAHT-rihj (/ˈkɑɹtɹɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cartridge” in a sentence?
Here is “cartridge” used in a sentence: “He loaded a fresh cartridge into the rifle.”
What part of speech is “cartridge”?
“Cartridge” is a noun.
Where does the word “cartridge” come from?
The word “cartridge” comes from Latin. A corruption of the earlier word "cartage," from French cartouche, ultimately from Latin charta ("paper") — a doublet of "cartouche.".
Is “cartridge” a common word?
“Cartridge” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cartridge” have?
“Cartridge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a case containing a bullet and its propellant, ready to be loaded into a firearm.
What is the difference between a cartridge and a bullet?
A cartridge is the complete case containing a bullet and its propellant, ready to be loaded into a firearm, while the bullet itself is only the projectile that gets fired. The cartridge also includes the casing and primer needed to fire the bullet.
What are common examples of cartridges outside firearms?
Cartridge also refers to small, self-contained units designed to be easily inserted or replaced in a machine, such as printer ink cartridges or video game cartridges.
Why are video games on cartridges called cartridges?
Older video games were sold on small, self-contained plastic units that plugged directly into a console, and this format took the name cartridge from the same general sense of a compact, replaceable unit.
