spinal

1 of 2

adjective

spi·​nal ˈspī-nᵊl How to pronounce spinal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord
spinal reflexes
b
: having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain
experiments on spinal animals
3
: of, relating to, or resembling a spine

spinal

2 of 2

noun

: a spinal anesthetic

Examples of spinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
An orthopedic doctor diagnosed the mom of four from Bozeman, Montana, with a herniated disk, which happens when the rubbery cushions between your spinal bones move out of place or break open. Ashley Abramson, SELF, 29 Feb. 2024 The doggedness that had gotten me through spinal rehabilitation in record time was repurposed. Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2024 More than 500 current campaigns are dedicated to asking for financial help for treating people, mostly kids, who have spinal muscular atrophy, a neurodegenerative genetic condition. Elisabeth Rosenthal, Fortune Well, 13 Feb. 2024 More than 500 campaigns are currently dedicated to asking for financial help for treating people, mostly kids, with spinal muscular atrophy, a neurodegenerative genetic condition. Elisabeth Rosenthal, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024 After the discovery of his congenital spinal condition following the season, though, he was forced to retire. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024 Stallone needed a metal plate inserted into his neck and spinal fusions. Zack Sharf, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 The ferret fell from a fifth-floor balcony in 2017, causing severe spinal trauma and chronic pain. Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Doctors initially doubted whether Hill would be able to walk normally due to degenerative spinal disease. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2024
Noun
My spinal injury taught me that life is fragile, but also that trauma grounds you and puts everything into perspective. Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024 Prions that live in brain and spinal matter, which are often parts of discard piles like the ones the wardens found, can survive in the environment for years. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 21 Dec. 2023 For example, one CNS defect is spina bifida—a condition where a baby's backbone doesn't form and close to protect the spinal cord.110 However, ongoing research has found that pregnant individuals may not need to avoid saunas altogether. Jessica Migala, Health, 20 Nov. 2023 The discs between their spinal vertebrae spread farther apart — astronauts grow taller, but their lower backs hurt. Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 Nilan had his blood and spinal fluids drawn and was scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging of his brain. David Waldstein, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023 Brain and spinal surgeries didn’t ease her symptoms. Lauren Sausser | Kff Health News, NBC News, 22 Aug. 2023 Lemos once worked as a motorcycle taxi driver in her native Brazil and suffered a spinal fracture from an accident while on the job, yet has returned better than ever. Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2023 On the higher end: 62% of spinal abscess are incorrectly diagnosed. Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 18 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spinal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinal was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near spinal

Cite this Entry

“Spinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spinal

adjective
spi·​nal
ˈspīn-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or located near the backbone
2
: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord

Medical Definition

spinal

1 of 2 adjective
spi·​nal ˈspīn-ᵊl How to pronounce spinal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord
spinal reflexes
b
: having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain
experiments on spinal animals
c
: used for spinal anesthesia
a spinal anesthetic
3
: made for or fitted to the spinal column
a spinal brace
spinally adverb

spinal

2 of 2 noun
: a spinal anesthetic

More from Merriam-Webster on spinal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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