: a case or container that holds a substance, device, or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that usually can be easily changed: such as
a
: a tube (as of metal) containing a complete charge for a firearm and usually an initiating device (such as a primer)
b
: a case containing an explosive charge for blasting
c
: a container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatus
a printer ink cartridge
d
: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer program
a video-game cartridge
e
f
: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearm
g
: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and formerly used as a computer storage medium
Cite this Entry
“Cartridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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