cartridge

[ kahr-trij ]

noun

1. Also called cartouche. a cylindrical case of pasteboard, metal, or the like, for holding a complete charge of powder, and often also the bullet or the shot for a rifle, machine gun, or other small arm.
2. a case containing any explosive charge, as for blasting.
3. any small container for powder, liquid, or gas, made for ready insertion into some device or mechanism:

   an ink cartridge for a pen.

4. Also called magazine. Photography. a lightproof metal or plastic container for a roll of film, usually containing both the supply and take-up spools, as well as a pressure plate, for rapid loading without the necessity of threading the film.
5. Audio. pickup ( def 8 ).
6. a flat, compact container enclosing an endless loop of audiotape, operated by inserting into a slot in a player.

cartridge

/ ˈkɑːtrɪdʒ /

noun

1. a cylindrical, usually metal casing containing an explosive charge and often a bullet, for a rifle or other small arms
2. a case for an explosive, such as a blasting charge
3. an electromechanical transducer in the pick-up of a record player, usually either containing a piezoelectric crystal ( crystal cartridge ) or an electromagnet ( magnetic cartridge )
4. a container for magnetic tape that is inserted into a tape deck in audio or video systems. It is about four times the size of a cassette
5. Also calledcassettemagazine photog a light-tight film container that enables a camera to be loaded and unloaded in normal light
6. computing a removable unit in a printer which contains black or coloured ink
7. computing a removable unit in a computer, such as an integrated circuit, containing software

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartridge¹

1570–80; earlier cartage, cartrage, alteration of cartouche

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartridge¹

C16: from earlier cartage, variant of cartouche (cartridge)

Example Sentences

Suck down every sugary vape cartridge you can find, kids.

From Slate

These instructions can make it harder for vape users — who, at best, may know how often they buy a new vape or cartridge, but not how often they pick up the device — to use NRTs to quit without additional information.

From Los Angeles Times

Under-sink systems are more expensive at the time of initial purchase and require periodic replacement of the cartridge or membrane, usually once a year.

From Salon

The flavored cartridge ban, Trump’s compromise versus banning all flavored e-cigs, likely played a role too, though it’s worth noting that such devices have largely been replaced by a flood of mostly illicit disposable e-cigarettes—a reminder that prohibition is often difficult to enforce.

From Slate

Trump opted instead for a ban targeting only flavored cartridge–style e-cigarettes, typified by Juul, hoping this compromise would be politically safer.

From Slate

Related Words

• bullet
• cassette
• cylinder
• tube