vertebra
noun
-ˌbrā\
-(ˌ)brē,
-brə
\
or vertebras
Definition of vertebra
: 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
One had a fractured vertebra and a second had a collapsed lung, multiple facial fractures and bleeding on the brain. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee man charged with drunk or drugged driving in single-car crash that injured 2 after Summerfest," 3 July 2018 Another fractured facial bones, ribs and vertebrae. — Ryan Dezember, WSJ, "Texas Investigators Seek Felony Fleeing-the-Scene Charge Against Prominent Oil Lawyer," 28 June 2018 Earlier in his career, Castle allowed a stress fracture in his back to heal on its own, and the disc between his L4 and L5 vertebrae shifted in such a way that left Castle in pain. — Justin Barrasso, SI.com, "The Week in Wrestling: Who Is The Best World Champion Right Now?," 27 June 2018 But after about 15 years, severe back pain from crushed vertebrae forced him into early retirement and disability payments. — Jessica Wapner, Newsweek, "The Cancer Epidemic in Central Appalachia," 19 July 2015 CBS News has learned that Garland suffered multiple broken vertebrae and a brain bleed. — CBS News, "FBI: New details suggest border patrol agent's death was an accident," 21 Feb. 2018 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 2018These 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for vertebra
vertebra
noun
English Language Learners Definition of vertebra
: one of the small bones that are linked together to form the backbone
See the full definition for vertebra in the English Language Learners Dictionary
vertebra
noun
\
Kids Definition of vertebra
: one of the bony sections making up the backbone
vertebra
noun
\
-(ˌ)brē
\
or vertebras
Medical Definition of vertebra
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on vertebra
What made you want to look up vertebra? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share vertebra
Resources for vertebra