dorsal

¹ American  

[dawr-suhl] / ˈdɔr səl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated at the back, or dorsum.

2. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. situated on or toward the upper side of the body, equivalent to the back, or posterior, in humans.

   2. situated on or toward the posterior plane in humans or toward the upper plane in quadrupeds.

3. Botany. pertaining to the surface away from the axis, as of a leaf; abaxial.

4. Phonetics. (of a speech sound) articulated with the dorsum of the tongue.

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noun

1. Phonetics. a dorsal speech sound.

2. Anatomy. a dorsal structure.

dorsal ² American  

[dawr-suhl] / ˈdɔr səl /

noun

1. dossal.

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dorsal British  

/ ˈdɔːsəl /

adjective

1. anatomy zoology relating to the back or spinal part of the body Compare ventral

2. botany of, relating to, or situated on the side of an organ that is directed away from the axis

3. articulated with the back of the tongue, as the (k) sound in English coot

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dorsal Scientific  

/ dôr′səl /

1. Relating to or on the back or upper surface of an animal.

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Other Word Forms

• dorsally adverb

Etymology

Origin of dorsal

1535–45; < Medieval Latin dorsālis, equivalent to Latin dors ( um ) back + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

The animal measured just over 8 centimeters long and preserved a dorsal exoskeleton made up of a head shield and nine body segments.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

This species is unique for the dorsal attachment of its stipe to the top of the pileus, and the abundant cystidia covering all surfaces of the fruiting body.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2025

With its long eel-like body, gaping mouth and bright red dorsal fins, it’s no surprise that the oarfish calls to mind a sea monster.

From Slate • Nov. 22, 2024

The dorsal fin is like a dolphin's fingerprint, as each has distinctive notches, ridges and pigmentation.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2024

A cold moth with unusually dense dorsal tufts landed lightly on Rahel’s heart.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy