vertebra

noun

ver·​te·​bra ˈvər-tə-brə How to pronounce vertebra (audio) -ˌbrā How to pronounce vertebra (audio)
plural vertebrae ˈvər-tə-ˌbrā How to pronounce vertebra (audio) -(ˌ)brē How to pronounce vertebra (audio) -brə How to pronounce vertebra (audio) or vertebras
: one of the bony or cartilaginous segments composing the spinal column, consisting in some lower vertebrates of several distinct elements which never become united, and in higher vertebrates having a short more or less cylindrical body whose ends articulate by pads of elastic or cartilaginous tissue with those of adjacent vertebrae and a bony arch that encloses the spinal cord

Examples of vertebra in a Sentence

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.
The 36-year-old ended up with a fractured vertebra after a backboard collapsed following a fellow basketball player’s dunk during last Saturday’s practice at the Australian Institute of Sport Arena in Canberra, the Adelaide 36ers confirmed. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Ragusa said Giuliani was transported to a nearby trauma center where he was found with a fractured thoracic vertebra and multiple lacerations and contusions. Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 Sep. 2025 Giuliani suffered a fractured vertebra, multiple lacerations and contusions, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025 Further imaging revealed a small fracture, known as a pars defect, in his L5 vertebra. Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vertebra

Word History

Etymology

Latin, joint, vertebra, from vertere to turn

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vertebra was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vertebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertebra. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

vertebra

noun
ver·​te·​bra ˈvərt-ə-brə How to pronounce vertebra (audio)
plural vertebrae -ˌbrā How to pronounce vertebra (audio) -brē How to pronounce vertebra (audio)
-brə
or vertebras
: one of the sections of bone or cartilage that make up the spinal column

Medical Definition

vertebra

noun
ver·​te·​bra ˈvərt-ə-brə How to pronounce vertebra (audio)
plural vertebrae -ˌbrā How to pronounce vertebra (audio) -(ˌ)brē How to pronounce vertebra (audio) or vertebras
: any of the bony or cartilaginous segments that make up the spinal column and that have a short more or less cylindrical body whose ends articulate by pads of elastic or cartilaginous tissue with those of adjacent vertebrae and a bony arch that encloses the spinal cord
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