connective tissue

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a tissue, usually of mesoblastic origin, that connects, supports, or surrounds other tissues, organs, etc.

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connective tissue British  

noun

1. an animal tissue developed from the embryonic mesoderm that consists of collagen or elastic fibres, fibroblasts, fatty cells, etc, within a jelly-like matrix. It supports organs, fills the spaces between them, and forms tendons and ligaments

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connective tissue Scientific  

/ kə-nĕk′tĭv /

1. Tissue that connects, supports, binds, or encloses the structures of the body. Connective tissues are made up of cells embedded in an extracellular matrix and include bones, cartilage, mucous membranes, fat, and blood.

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connective tissue Cultural  

1. Body tissue that serves to connect or support other tissues or parts. Cartilage, tendons, and bone are all kinds of connective tissue.

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Etymology

Origin of connective tissue

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The company, which once manufactured lightbulbs for Thomas Edison, has attracted demand from many hyperscalers for its fiber-optic cables, a key connective tissue for AI infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

This quantum software will serve as the so-called connective tissue in hybrid models linking quantum systems with classical machines.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

“I don’t think people can appreciate how she is very much the connective tissue to a lot of what we are seeing that has taken place.”

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

"Our observations are consistent across multiple length scales and link connective tissue stiffening to altered biochemical signaling in cancer cells."

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2026

Ebola attacks connective tissue with particular ferocity; it multiplies in collagen, the chief constituent protein of the tissue that holds the organs together.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston