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
: a spinal anesthetic
Examples of spinal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Heck, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
If the first moves of your day are poorly aligned, rushed or extreme — such as bending forward deeply to touch your toes — your nervous system, sensing spinal rigidity, may react with acute protective muscle tension as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The Mayo Clinic describes spinal stenosis as a condition where the spaces in the backbone are too small.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spinal
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Adjective
Too often plaintiffs are steered into life-altering spinal surgeries and invasive procedures that independent and reputable medical experts say are often unnecessary and inconsistent with accepted standards of care.
—Elizabeth Heck, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
If the first moves of your day are poorly aligned, rushed or extreme — such as bending forward deeply to touch your toes — your nervous system, sensing spinal rigidity, may react with acute protective muscle tension as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
Right Arrow Quinton Aaron's family confirmed the actor suffered a spinal stroke, days after news broke that he was intubated and placed on life support after experiencing a mysterious neck pain.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The Mayo Clinic describes spinal stenosis as a condition where the spaces in the backbone are too small.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spinal
Cite this Entry
“Spinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
spinal
1 of 2 adjective
spi·nal
ˈspīn-ᵊl 
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
spinal
2 of 2 noun
: a spinal anesthetic
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