vertebra

[vur-tuh-bruh]

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

vertebrae, vertebras 

1. any of the bones or segments composing the spinal column, consisting typically of a cylindrical body and an arch with various processes, and forming a foramen, or opening, through which the spinal cord passes.

vertebra

/ ˈvɜːtɪbrə /

noun

1. one of the bony segments of the spinal column

vertebra

plural

vertebrae 

1. Any of the bones that make up the vertebral column. Each vertebra contains an arched, hollow section through which the spinal cord passes. In humans, the vertebrae are divided into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sections, and the sacrum and coccyx are both made up of a series of fused vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated by cartilaginous intervertebral disks.

2. See more at skeleton

Other Word Forms

• vertebrally adverb
• vertebral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertebra¹

1570–80; < Latin: (spinal) joint, equivalent to verte ( re ) to turn ( verse ) + -bra noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertebra¹

C17: from Latin: joint of the spine, from vertere to turn

Example Sentences

Among the most remarkable discoveries are several huge vertebrae that indicate the presence of a very large lamniform shark.

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Sgt Evans suffered a fractured vertebrae and was unable to work for three months.

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The team found a partial skeleton encased in rock that included portions of the lower jaw, vertebrae, and pelvic girdle.

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A few days after the star singer Forrest Frank fell off his skateboard, crashed into a wall and fractured two vertebrae, he previewed a new track about the accident on TikTok.

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Distinct traits, including longer arms, a greater number of teeth, fewer tail vertebrae, and unique skull nerve structures, all appeared early in development and are biologically inconsistent with T. rex.

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