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

And those positive outcomes were greater than those associated with nonpharmacological treatments (exercise therapy, yoga, massage therapy, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy), opioid therapy, and lumbar spine surgery. —Deborah Balthazar, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024

Arthritis fused his cervical spine, forcing his head downward. —Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Other injuries sustained in the crash include a cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures for Team Emirates rider Jay Vine and a concussion and fractured sternum for EF Pro Cycling’s Sean Quinn. —Matias Grez, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Focus on keeping your spine in neutral alignment (don’t let your low back sag), Pierson says. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 2 Apr. 2024

Many Texas towns on the enviable spine of totality have parlayed their good fortune as willing hosts to this celestial party. —Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024

Today, Barkley Thompson’s sermon will concern resurrection of Christ, but also his own from a rare malady of the spine and cancer. —Werner Trieschmann, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024

This kid gorilla leads Kong to a tribe of scraggly hostile apes who are living in a slave society presided over by the Skar King, an evil ape with blotchy red hair who’s as tall as Kong and wields a skeletal bone whip that looks like it was fashioned out of the spine of a sea serpent. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024

Many Texas towns on the enviable spine of totality have parlayed their good fortune as willing hosts to this heavenly soiree. —David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024

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

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)