spinal cord

noun

: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts see brain illustration

Examples of spinal cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People in their teens and early 20s are considered to be at greater risk for this type of rare but serious bacterial infection called meningococcal group B that can lead to meningitis, an inflammation in the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. —Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026

Neuroinflammation Neuroinflammation refers to persistent, low-grade inflammation within the brain and spinal cord. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026

Brendon had previously disclosed a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, a condition described by the Cleveland Clinic as the compression of nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord, which can affect movement and sensation in the lower body. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026

Meningitis is inflammation of membranes called meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spinal cord

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overboard
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard

Kids Definition

spinal cord

noun

: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain along the back in the cavity of the backbone, branches to form the spinal nerves, carries nerve impulses to and from the brain, and helps to control reflex actions

Medical Definition

spinal cord

noun

: the thick longitudinal cord of nervous tissue that in vertebrates extends along the back dorsal to the bodies of the vertebrae and is enclosed in the spinal canal formed by their neural arches, is continuous anteriorly with the medulla oblongata, gives off at intervals pairs of spinal nerves to the various parts of the trunk and limbs, serves not only as a pathway for nerve impulses to and from the brain but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain, and is composed largely of white matter arranged in columns and tracts of longitudinal fibers about a large central core of gray matter somewhat H-shaped in cross section and pierced centrally by a small longitudinal canal continuous with the ventricles of the brain

called also medulla spinalis