lumbar

American  

[luhm-ber, -bahr] / ˈlʌm bər, -bɑr /

adjective

1. of or relating to the loin or loins.

---

noun

1. a lumbar vertebra, artery, or the like.

lumbar British  

/ ˈlʌmbə /

adjective

1. of, near, or relating to the part of the body between the lowest ribs and the hipbones

---

lumbar Scientific  

/ lŭm′bər /

1. Located at or near the part of the back lying between the lowest ribs and the hips.

---

Other Word Forms

• prelumbar
  adjective
• sublumbar
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lumbar

From the New Latin word lumbāris, dating back to 1650–60. See lumb-, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lumbar

The “Criminal Minds” star also underwent multiple spinal surgeries to manage cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition in which nerve bundles in the lumbar or sacral spine are compressed or not functioning properly.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2026

Participants received doses of up to 70mg of zorevunersen through a lumbar puncture.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2026

Reports of fitness doubts first appeared in September, with Cummins then ruled out of the white-ball series against New Zealand and India with a lumbar stress fracture.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2025

Tiger Woods underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in his lower back after experiencing pain and a lack of mobility, the 15-time major golf champion announced on Saturday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2025

I am in my own personal happy jet—in a wide seat and with the perfect mix of cool and warm air and the little pillow positioned perfectly in my lumbar region.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King