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

The child, who was resuscitated and taken to Norton Children’s Hospital, was reported to have fractures to the occipital skull and ribs, extensive bruising, severe anemia from blood loss and indications of muscle damage and liver and pancreas injuries. —Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Jan. 2026

These were: the corpus callosum, the brain's largest white matter tract that connects the two hemispheres of the brain; the occipital cortex, responsible for vision and visual processing; and the hypothalamus, which regulates hormone levels and metabolism. —New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2025

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

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