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cartridge

cartridge

48 4.7
A metal or plastic case that holds a bullet and powder for a gun
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːrtɪdʒ/
  • Specialized
: cartucho
  • "After we shoot our guns, we pick up empty cartridges to use again.
  • 9mm cartridges
  • fired cartridges
  • spent cartridges

Soldiers carried paper cartridges containing both powder and a lead ball.

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Examples

  • We've analyzed the shotgun and the cartridges.

  • If you do, the cartridge will explode in your face.

  • And they get fingerprints off the cartridge cases.

  • - Well done, a spent shotgun cartridge.

  • Jack levered in another cartridge without taking his eye from the rifle sights and fired again.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • An ominous click as Tommy loads a cartridge into his gun.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Give me that cartridge.

  • We've got guns, food, cartridges.

  • Way at the back, he located a box with a half-dozen dull red cartridges in it.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The hunter carefully loaded a bullet into the cartridge before aiming at the target.

Synonyms

ammunition
vscartridge
167 5.3

Small metal objects like bullets and shells that guns shoot

is a single physical case used as one unit of that broader supply
shell
vscartridge
  • Specialized
123 8.4

A metal container filled with explosives and fired from a cannon or tank

is smaller and intended for use in handheld small arms rather than large guns
round
vscartridge
98 7.2

A single bullet or shell used in a gun

refers specifically to the physical metal or plastic case holding that charge
shotgun shell
vscartridge
  • Specialized
9 3.8

A small case filled with many small metal balls that is fired from a shotgun

is the general term for a case that can hold either shot or bullets
cartouche
vscartridge
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A paper case holding gunpowder and a bullet for old guns

is usually made of metal or plastic rather than paper in modern use
ball cartridge
vscartridge
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A small metal case that contains a bullet and enough powder to fire it

is the general metal or plastic case for a bullet or shot
unit of ammunition
vscartridge
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A single bullet or shell ready to be fired

is the physical case component of such a prepared charge
rimfire
vscartridge
  • Specialized
8.2

A cartridge that fires when the rim of its base is hit

is the general case type not limited by its ignition method
cartouch
vscartridge
  • Archaic
9.9

A paper tube that holds gunpowder and a bullet for an old gun

is the modern durable case made from metal or plastic instead of paper

Compounds

A small container that holds ink for a printer

cartridge belt
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A wide belt with loops or pockets for carrying bullets

tape cartridge
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A plastic case that holds tape used to record sound, video, or computer data

cartridge clip
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A metal frame that holds bullets so they can be loaded into a gun

1 4.8

Thick good quality paper for drawing or printing

ball cartridge
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A small metal case that contains a bullet and enough powder to fire it

cartridge holder
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A part that holds bullets and fits into a gun

cartridge brass
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A metal made from copper and zinc used for cartridge cases and tubing

cartridge extractor
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A small part that pulls an empty shell from a gun chamber after firing

font cartridge
  • Archaic
1 7.9

A small removable part for a printer that adds new text styles

cartridge ejector
  • Specialized
8.4

A part of a gun that pushes out an empty shell after firing

cartridge font
  • Archaic
6.7

A set of letters stored on a small cartridge you put into a printer to print in a new style

cartridge fuse
  • Specialized
5.3

A small electric part in a tube that stops electricity when too much flows

cartridge remover
  • Specialized
8.4

A part in a gun that pulls out empty shells from the chamber so they fall out

How Dangerous

dumdum
  • NSFW
1 9.9
cartridge
  • Specialized
48 4.7
blank shell
  • Specialized
1 6.2

Surface Forms

cartridge singular
cartridges plural

Etymology

Cartridge originally named a paper case that held gunpowder and a bullet (from French cartouche and Italian cartuccia, from carta 'paper'). That's why a firearm cartridge is the small 'case' that contains the powder and the bullet.