spinal tap

noun

: lumbar puncture

Examples of spinal tap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The episode shows Homer undergoing a hospital workup, including a spinal tap, a procedure that is often needed to verify a narcolepsy diagnosis — the only production in the report to include a real diagnostic workup. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Diagnosis involves testing cerebrospinal fluid obtained through a spinal tap; specialized laboratory testing may be needed. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

For decades the only way to know that was a PET scan or a spinal tap, which meant most people never found out at all. — Sue Peschin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Also called a spinal tap, a lumbar puncture involves using a syringe to withdraw a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back, per Mayo Clinic. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spinal tap

• handicap
• overlap
• thunderclap
• wiretap
• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap

Medical Definition

spinal tap

noun

: lumbar puncture