What does "cartridge" mean?

1. (printer ink) a small container that holds ink or toner for a computer printer. 2. (ammunition) a single piece of ammunition for a gun, containing the bullet and the powder. 3. (video games) a plastic case containing a game that you plug into an old game console. 4. (modular part) any small part of a machine that you can replace easily with a new one.

cartridge

US //ˈkɑɹtɹədʒ// UK //kˈɑːtɹɪdʒ// car·tridge

1 printer ink (n.)
B1 Intermediate Computing

a small container that holds ink or toner for a computer printer.

a replaceable vessel containing ink or toner, designed for use in a computer printer.

Example

The printer stopped working because the black ink cartridge was empty.

Example

The office manager ordered a bulk supply of toner cartridges to ensure the high-volume laser printer remained operational during the busy season.
- refill
- container
2 ammunition (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

a single piece of ammunition for a gun, containing the bullet and the powder.

a complete unit of ammunition consisting of a casing, primer, propellant, and projectile.

Example

The hunter loaded a fresh cartridge into his rifle before heading into the woods.

Example

Forensic experts examined the spent cartridge found at the scene to determine the calibre of the weapon used in the incident.

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3 video games (n.)
B1 Intermediate Computing

a plastic case containing a game that you plug into an old game console.

a removable enclosure containing read-only memory chips, used for loading software onto legacy home computers or video game consoles.

Example

He blew on the game cartridge to clean the dust off before putting it in the console.

Example

Collectors often pay a premium for vintage game cartridges that still include their original packaging and instruction manuals.
- game card
- cassette
4 modular part (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical

any small part of a machine that you can replace easily with a new one.

a prefabricated subassembly designed to be easily installed in or removed from a larger mechanism.

Example

The plumber replaced the ceramic cartridge inside the leaky tap.

Example

The modular design allows technicians to swap out the filter cartridge in seconds without having to dismantle the entire purification system.

Origin

Corruption of earlier cartage, from French cartouche, from Italian cartoccio (“roll of paper”), from Medieval Latin carta (“paper”). Doublet of cartouche.