vertebra

noun ver·te·bra \ ˈvər-tə-brə , -ˌbrā \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of vertebra

plural vertebrae play \ˈvər-tə-ˌbrā, -(ˌ)brē, -brə\ 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

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Recent Examples of vertebra from the Web

Later, during a mission on the German-Dutch border to rescue missing British soldiers, his truck went over a land mine, launching him 50 feet in the air and breaking his arm, three vertebrae and two ankles.

— dan bilefsky, New York Times, "A One-Eyed Québécois ‘Rambo’ Captures Imaginations in Canada," 27 May 2018
Such technology can be used to create personalized implants such as vertebrae or to fabricate just-right tools for use in the operating room.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "Surgeons are using 3-D-printed organs to figure out the best way to operate," 11 June 2018
The arches of the vertebrae of his spine haven’t closed.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "This Ancient Mummified Bird Is Actually a Mummified Baby," 2 June 2018
Toledo, Maryland's leading rider in 2015 and 2017, had been out since fracturing two vertebrae in his middle back and suffering a collapsed lung in a spill during training hours Jan. 21 at Laurel.

— baltimoresun.com, "Digest: Steele, Hensh lift No. 5 Maryland women's lacrosse over No. 8 Syracuse, 18-11," 12 Mar. 2018
In the following days, Hutsko described the pain as the worst one in his life, as a lump the size of a golf ball formed by his right shoulder blade on his back, muscles trying to protect the fractured vertebra.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nearly paralyzed by broken neck, Panthers' draft pick Logan Hutsko chases dream of NHL," 28 June 2018
In fact, Milks argues that there’s not enough evidence to tell whether the fatal wound on the second deer’s vertebra was the product of a throw or a thrust.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Archaeologists armed with spears demonstrate how Neanderthals hunted," 28 June 2018
That could have snapped the girl's lower vertebrae and punctured her aorta, the medical examiner said, according to Ashendorf.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "The mom's boyfriend said her son might grow up to be gay. Now he's accused of his murder.," 19 June 2018
His exit physical in January uncovered an injury to a disk at the C2 and C3 vertebrae in his neck, threatening the spinal cord.

— albert breer, SI.com, "A Spectator in Minicamp Week: Eric Wood on Retirement," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vertebra.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vertebra

Latin, joint, vertebra, from vertere to turn

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First Known Use: 1578

in the meaning defined above

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VERTEBRA Defined for English Language Learners

vertebra

noun

Definition of vertebra for English Language Learners

: one of the small bones that are linked together to form the backbone

VERTEBRA Defined for Kids

vertebra

noun ver·te·bra \ ˈvər-tə-brə \

Definition of vertebra for Students

plural vertebrae \-ˌbrā, -brē\

: one of the bony sections making up the backbone

Word Root of vertebra

The Latin word vertere, meaning “to turn” or “to change,” and its form versus give us the roots vert and vers. Words from the Latin vertere have something to do with turning or changing. Anything versatile, or able to do or be used for many different things, can change its task easily. A vertebra is a bone in the spine that allows an animal to turn its head or body. To avert is to turn away. To divert is to turn aside onto a new path. To revert is to turn back to a former way of being.

Medical Dictionary

vertebra

noun ver·te·bra \ ˈvərt-ə-brə \

medical Definition of vertebra

plural vertebrae play \-ˌbrā, -(ˌ)brē\ 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