spine
Americannoun
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the spinal or vertebral column; backbone.
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any backbonelike part.
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a stiff, pointed process or appendage on an animal, as a quill of a porcupine, or a sharp, bony ray in the fin of a fish.
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something, as a quality or trait, that constitutes a principal strength; resolution; stamina; backbone.
a situation that would test a person's spine.
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a ridge, as of ground or rock.
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a sharp-pointed, hard or woody outgrowth on a plant; thorn.
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Bookbinding. the back of a book cover or binding, usually indicating the title and author.
noun
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the spinal column
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the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc
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zoology a hard pointed process or structure, such as the ray of a fin, the quill of a porcupine, or the ridge on a bone
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the back of a book, record sleeve, etc
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a ridge, esp of a hill
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strength of endurance, will, etc
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anything resembling the spinal column in function or importance; main support or feature
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See vertebral column
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Any of various pointed projections, processes, or appendages of animals.
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A sharp-pointed projection on a plant, especially a hard, narrow modified leaf, as on a cactus, that is adapted to reduce water loss.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of spine
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin spīna thorn, backbone
Explanation
Your spine is your backbone. When you sit and stand with your spine straight, people will compliment you on your good posture. Besides being the basic part of a vertebrate's skeleton, a spine is also a sharp spike, like the spines on a sea urchin or a cactus. Another kind of spine is the "backbone" of a book, the part of its cover that you can read when the book is on a bookshelf. Spine comes from the Latin spina, which also means both "backbone" and "thorn."
Vocabulary lists containing spine
"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle
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ESL Library Vocabulary
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Marine Biology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a result, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during play in the NFL.”
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025
Dr. Warren Patch, a chiropractor who runs the Patch Family Spine Center in Ocean Beach, said he’s been surfing in Baja California since 1969.
From Seattle Times • May 26, 2024
She completed the Montane Spine Race - from Derbyshire to the Scottish borders - in 83 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2024
Despite the best efforts of some establishments to try to exude an upscale aura — with plush sofas, and names like “Paris Lifestyle” — the atmosphere along Spine Road remains decidedly working class.
From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2023
Ride out with M and A and rendezvous at the Spine Islands.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
