connective tissue

American  

noun

Anatomy.

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of connective tissue

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

“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

Once immune cells arrive, they interact with fibroblasts, which are connective tissue cells that normally help maintain balance and protect the joint.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2026

“Your follow-up email should say something like, ‘I enjoyed this’ and offer some connective tissue on some things you really agree on,” she says.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026

Hamilton points to research on female athletes that found higher rates of ligament injuries at certain points in the cycle, likely linked to estrogen’s effects on connective tissue.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

The connective tissue in his face is dissolving, and his face appears to hang from the underlying bone, as if the face is detaching itself from the skull.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston