spine

noun

1
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
b
: a stiff unsegmented fin ray of a fish
c
: a pointed prominence on a bone
spined adjective
spinelike adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Equally worrying for Inzaghi will be just how much his core players have left in the tank; most of the spine of this team played big minutes across their three group games with minimal opportunity for rest or rotation. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 27 June 2025 Best mattress deals for back sleepers Back sleepers should choose a mattress that provides a balance of support and comfort to maintain the natural curvature of the spine. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 Spine alignment, otherwise known as lumbar support, is an evaluation of how well the spine is kept in alignment. Julia Forbes, Wired News, 27 June 2025 The camera identifies around 16 points on each animal, such as the ear, the back of the head, and the spine, then uses the shifting of those data points to analyze the cow’s gait. Chris Stokel-Walker, Fortune, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spine

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spine was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spine. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

spine

noun
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
1
2
: a pointed prominence or process (as on a bone)

More from Merriam-Webster on spine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!