cranial

adjective

cra·​ni·​al ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce cranial (audio)
1
: of or relating to the skull or cranium
2
cranially adverb

Examples of cranial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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What’s playing on that magical cranial monitor, however, is one half of the shadow self that lurks behind all of Yes‘ provocations. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026 Lynch suffered facial fractures, a cranial leak and other injuries. Katie Houlis, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026 Treatments include various massages, cacao and coffee scrubs, wraps, reflexology, cranial sacral therapy, and facials. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026 According to Nationwide, kidney disease and cranial cruciate ligament tears follow closely behind in the 11 and 12 spots. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cranial

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranial was in 1800

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Cite this Entry

“Cranial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranial. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

cranial

adjective
cra·​ni·​al ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce cranial (audio)
: of, relating to, or directed toward the skull or cranium

Medical Definition

cranial

adjective
cra·​ni·​al ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce cranial (audio)
1
: of or relating to the skull or cranium
2
: cephalic
the cranial end of the spinal column
cranially adverb

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