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

• vertebra
• backbone
• back

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

To eat the nopales, remove the spines (spikes, thorns, or barbs) and use them raw in salads or cooked in soups or tacos. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2025

Your shoulders should stack directly over your elbows, with your chest lifted off the ball and your neck in line with your spine. —Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025

The developer’s plan included turning the spine of the development — a westward extension of Timber Road — into an east-west connector that would link heavily traveled US 21 and NC 115. —Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025

Her condition, known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, has led to more than two dozen surgeries, including on her neck and spine. —NPR, 20 Oct. 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)