Other Word Forms
- nonvertebral adjective
- postvertebral adjective
- prevertebral adjective
- subvertebral adjective
- vertebrally adverb
Etymology
Origin of vertebral
First recorded in 1675–85; vertebr(a) + -al 1
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.
The team found part of the dinosaur's skull, a complete vertebral column extending to the tail, and nearly intact forelimbs and hindlimbs, said CONICET.
From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025
“Two-thirds of people who have vertebral fractures don’t know they have them,” says Kado.
From Slate • Feb. 27, 2025
Also taken to hospital was UAE Team Emirates rider Jay Vine, whose medical director later confirmed had sustained cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2024
Type 2 diabetes alters the behavior of discs in the vertebral column, making them stiffer, and also causes the discs to change shape earlier than normal.
From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2024
Invertebral, in-vėrt′e-bral, Invertebrate, in-vėrt′ebrāt, adj. without a vertebral column or backbone: weak, irresolute.—n.pl.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
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.
