bone marrow

noun

: a soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities of most bones and occurs in two forms:
a
: one that is yellowish, consists chiefly of fat cells, and is found especially in the cavities of long bones
b
: one that is reddish, is the chief site of blood cell formation, and occurs in the normal adult in cancellous tissue especially of certain flat bones

called also red marrow

Examples of bone marrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
For instance, a patient with a bone marrow transplant is likely more at risk of severe COVID than a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Oct. 2024 Toward the end of the play, the once-effervescent Delia writhes in excruciating pain after a bone marrow transplant. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 Take the quiz here … MEDICAL MIRACLE – Leukemia patient receives first-ever bone marrow transplant from deceased organ donor. —Fox News, 17 Sep. 2024 The likes of bone marrow disguised as scallops were paired with Veuve Clicquot vintages from 2012, 2008, and 2002, each more complex than the last. —Kate Lloyd, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bone marrow 

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bone marrow was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near bone marrow

Bonellia

bone marrow

bonemeal

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Bone marrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bone marrow. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

bone marrow

noun
: a soft tissue rich in blood vessels that fills the cavities of most bones and occurs in two forms:
a
: one that is yellowish and fatty and is found especially in long bones (as the femur)
b
: one that is reddish, is the main place where blood cells are formed, and in adults is limited especially to certain flat or short bones (as the ribs)

Medical Definition

bone marrow

noun
: a soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities and cancellous part of most bones and occurs in two forms:
a
: a whitish or yellowish bone marrow that consists chiefly of fat cells and is found especially in the cavities of the long bones

called also yellow marrow

b
: a reddish bone marrow that contains little fat, is the chief site of red blood cell and blood granulocyte formation, and occurs in the normal adult in cancellous tissue especially of certain flat bones

called also red marrow

More from Merriam-Webster on bone marrow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bone marrow

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