1
: of or relating to a rostrum
2
: situated toward the oral or nasal region: such as
a
of a part of the spinal cord
: superior sense 6a
Examples of rostral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the study, the new species differs from its congeners—meaning related species in the same genus—in bearing an elongate rostral appendage, green or ochre dorsum, orange-brown belly, and moderately keeled vertebral dorsal scale row.
—
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2026
That elongated rostral appendage is the defining characteristic that separates this species from its closest relatives.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026
With parrot-like beaks (named rostral), their teeth were vital for reaching and tearing plants lying near the ground.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2023
Ibrahim and his colleagues are looking at other brain regions that play a role in processing pain, especially the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), which is also located in the brain stem.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 27 Oct. 2022
That area is called the rostral dorsal medulla and essentially relays sensory information from the spinal cord to the brain.
—Sara Lindberg, SELF, 7 Jan. 2022
Initial exams measure the fish’s rostrum and overall length, check for parasites, inspect rostral teeth to note any that are missing or damaged, and document any scars or injuries.
—David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 13 Dec. 2019
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Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2026
That elongated rostral appendage is the defining characteristic that separates this species from its closest relatives.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026
With parrot-like beaks (named rostral), their teeth were vital for reaching and tearing plants lying near the ground.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2023
Ibrahim and his colleagues are looking at other brain regions that play a role in processing pain, especially the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), which is also located in the brain stem.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 27 Oct. 2022
That area is called the rostral dorsal medulla and essentially relays sensory information from the spinal cord to the brain.
—Sara Lindberg, SELF, 7 Jan. 2022
Initial exams measure the fish’s rostrum and overall length, check for parasites, inspect rostral teeth to note any that are missing or damaged, and document any scars or injuries.
—David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 13 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Rostral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rostral. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rostral
adjective
ros·tral
ˈräs-trəl also ˈrȯs-
1
: of or relating to a rostrum
2
: situated toward the oral or nasal region: as
a
of a part of the spinal cord
: superior sense 1
b
of a part of the brain
: anterior or ventral
the rostral pons
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