spine

noun

ˈspīn 

1

a

: spinal column

b

: something resembling a spinal column or constituting a central axis or chief support

c

: the part of a book to which the pages are attached and on the cover of which usually appear the title and author's and publisher's names

2

: a stiff pointed plant process

especially : one that is a modified leaf or leaf part compare prickle sense 1, thorn sense 1a

3

: a sharp rigid process on an animal: such as

a

: spicule

b

: a stiff unsegmented fin ray of a fish

c

: a pointed prominence on a bone

spined

ˈspīnd 

adjective

spinelike

ˈspīn-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• backbone
• chine
• spinal column
• vertebral column

Examples of spine in a Sentence

This X-ray shows her spine.

Hedgehogs are covered with spines.

They lack the spine to do what needs to be done.

Recent Examples on the Web

Merely the thought of any potential Chinese aggression in Taiwan sends shivers down the spines of industry, market, and government officials, and an outright attack would put the worldwide economy in a tailspin. —Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

The parade of extreme power and wealth in this dire global climate of recent years is usually the knife in my spine, but this year’s theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ gently twists it, quietly extracting the rebellious roots of the Black dandy for mainstream consumption. —Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025

The rest of the body's main chakras are located down the five segments of the spine—cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx—which are governed by the sympathetic nervous system. —Tony Sanchez, Time, 25 Apr. 2025

Think about it this way: Your spine is like a stack of children’s building blocks; muscles connect one block to the next—or span multiple segments of the spine—to keep it from tipping, Hamilton explains. —Danielle Zickl, SELF, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, thorn, spinal column, from Latin spina; perhaps akin to Latin spica ear of grain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spine

• a chill down your spine
• a chill/shiver runs up/down someone's spine
• make a chill/shiver run up/down someone's spine
• send a chill/shiver up/down someone's spine
• send shivers/chills up (and down) someone's spine
• spine-chilling
• spine-tingling

Rhymes for spine

• brine
• cline
• dine
• fein
• fine
• gwine
• hine
• jain
• klein
• kline
• line
• mine

Kids Definition

spine

noun

ˈspīn 

1

a

: backbone sense 1

b

: something resembling a backbone

c

: the part of a book to which the pages are attached

2

: a stiff pointed usually sharp projecting part of a plant or animal

protective spines cover the body of a porcupine fish

cactus spines are formed from leaves

Etymology

Middle English spine "thorn, spinal column," from Latin spina (same meaning) — related to porcupine

Medical Definition

spine

noun

ˈspīn 

1

: spinal column

2

: a pointed prominence or process (as on a bone)