occipital

adjective

oc·​cip·​i·​tal äk-ˈsi-pə-tᵊl 

: of, relating to, or located within or near the occiput or the occipital bone

occipital noun

occipitally adverb

Examples of occipital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neanderthal brains were larger than those of modern-day humans, but their smaller occipital space left little room for the cerebellum. —Ruairi MacKenzie, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2025

So find somewhere comfortable to lie down, grab your occipital release tool, and let Yung Rapunxel open your third eye. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025

Changes to your cervical spine health (like a compressed cervical disc) can also cause occipital neuralgia.14 People with occipital neuralgia may have extreme sensitivity to touch on their scalp or neck. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 17 Jan. 2025

The optic nerve is similar to a telephone cable that connects the eye to the occipital cortex at the very back of the brain, where what is viewed is then processed and interpreted. —Gary Stix, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, probably borrowed from Medieval Latin occipitālis, from Latin occipit-, occiput occiput + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing occipital

• occipital bone
• occipital condyle
• occipital lobe

Kids Definition

occipital

1 of 2 adjective

oc·​cip·​i·​tal

äk-ˈsip-ət-ᵊl

: of or relating to the back part of the head or skull or to the occipital bone

occipital

2 of 2 noun

: occipital bone

Medical Definition

occipital

1 of 2 adjective

oc·​cip·​i·​tal äk-ˈsip-ət-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or located within or near the occiput or the occipital bone

occipital

2 of 2 noun

: occipital bone