vertebrate

1 of 2

noun

ver·​te·​brate ˈvər-tə-brət  -ˌbrāt 

: any of a subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordates that comprises animals (such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) typically having a bony or cartilaginous spinal column which replaces the notochord, a distinct head containing a brain which arises as an enlarged part of the nerve cord, and an internal usually bony skeleton and that includes some primitive forms (such as lampreys) in which the spinal column is absent and the notochord persists throughout life

vertebrate

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: having a spinal column

b

: of or relating to the vertebrates

2

: organized or constructed in orderly or developed form

Examples of vertebrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The new findings offer the first documentation of the species actively preying on other live vertebrates — underscoring its ability to respond to changes in the ecosystem. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

But unlike the hair, feathers and scales of most other vertebrates, crocodile head scales uniquely develop as a result of tissue mechanics, not genetics, researchers suggest. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Devils Hole pupfish also live in the smallest habitat of any vertebrate species on Earth. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024

The National Institutes of Health's Office of Extramural Research said domestic institutions receiving funds from the Public Health Service that conduct research involving live vertebrate animals must do so in accordance with federal policy for lab animals. —Kunle Falayi, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin Vertebrata, from neuter plural of vertebratus

Adjective

New Latin vertebratus, from Latin, jointed, from vertebra

First Known Use

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

vertebrate

1 of 2 adjective

ver·​te·​brate ˈvərt-ə-brət  -ˌbrāt 

1

: having a spinal column

2

: of or relating to the vertebrates

vertebrate

2 of 2 noun

: any of a large group of chordates comprising animals (as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) typically having a bony or cartilaginous backbone which replaces the notochord, a distinct head containing a brain which arises as an enlarged part of the nerve cord, and an internal usually bony skeleton and including some primitive forms (as lampreys) in which the backbone is absent and the notochord persists throughout life

Medical Definition

vertebrate

1 of 2 noun

ver·​te·​brate ˈvərt-ə-brət  -ˌbrāt 

: a subphylum of chordates comprising animals (such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) with a segmented spinal column together with a few primitive forms in which the backbone is represented by a notochord : an animal of the subphylum Vertebrata

vertebrate

2 of 2 adjective

1

: having a spinal column

2

: of or relating to the subphylum Vertebrata