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.

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 called: cassette.  magazine. 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

Mr Mudd then ran to the church, where he saw three magazine cartridges on the ground.

From BBC

He then ran to the church where he saw three magazine cartridges on the ground.

From BBC

As for classic games, he says: "Goldeneye goes for around £10 as a loose cartridge, with the complete boxed version being around £30."

From BBC

The release said the warrant was for “those who participate in clandestinely bringing weapons, ammunition, cartridges, explosives into the country; and those who manufacture weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives without the corresponding permit.”

From Los Angeles Times

He explained that these chemicals are "pre-packed into cartridges and ignited electronically" so there's no ambiguity.

From BBC

Related Words

• bullet 
• cassette 
• cylinder 
• tube