1
: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord
spinal reflexes
b
: having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain
experiments on spinal animals
3
: of, relating to, or resembling a spine
: a spinal anesthetic
Examples of spinal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Andaloro, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The lawsuit, which is pending, said Marilee, who had part of her right leg amputated in 2020 and has had several spinal surgeries, has at times resorted to going up and down the stairs in the couple’s home to wash dishes in a bathtub.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025
Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Mayfield played because Matthew Stafford had been shut down after a midseason spinal injury.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spinal 
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Adjective
Others with kids who have spinal injuries have reached out and their words are encouraging and helpful.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The lawsuit, which is pending, said Marilee, who had part of her right leg amputated in 2020 and has had several spinal surgeries, has at times resorted to going up and down the stairs in the couple’s home to wash dishes in a bathtub.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
Listen to this article A San Diego County sheriff’s deputy was charged with using excessive force on a restrained inmate, causing a serious spinal injury that required surgery, and later attempting to cover up the incident, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
—Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Mayfield played because Matthew Stafford had been shut down after a midseason spinal injury.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spinal
Dictionary Entries Near spinal
Cite this Entry
“Spinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
spinal
1 of 2 adjective
spi·nal
ˈspīn-ᵊl 
1
: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord
spinal reflexes
b
: having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain
experiments on spinal animals
c
: used for spinal anesthesia
a spinal anesthetic
3
: made for or fitted to the spinal column
a spinal brace
spinal
2 of 2 noun
: a spinal anesthetic
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