spinal

1 of 2

adjective

spi·​nal ˈspī-nᵊl How to pronounce spinal (audio)
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

spinal

2 of 2

noun

: a spinal anesthetic

Examples of spinal 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.
Adjective
Martin received 22 wounds from shrapnel and was left with a spinal injury. Emma Woollacott, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Osbourne suffered from a spinal injury that same year, which has prevented him from touring. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
The center-third of the bed is reinforced to keep the low back and hips slightly lifted (designed to promote natural spinal alignment), while two sturdy coil layers help prevent sinkage and push back on heavier joints for extra support. Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024 The family has been based in Charlotte for years, but recently moved to Mt. Pleasant, S.C., for Mark’s job as a spinal surgeon. Jane Lacroix, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spinal 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinal was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near spinal

Cite this Entry

“Spinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spinal

adjective
spi·​nal
ˈspīn-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or located near the backbone
2
: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord

Medical Definition

spinal

1 of 2 adjective
spi·​nal ˈspīn-ᵊl How to pronounce spinal (audio)
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
spinally adverb

spinal

2 of 2 noun
: a spinal anesthetic

More from Merriam-Webster on spinal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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