vertebra

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

Updated on: 10 Apr 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

Her signature long neck has just seven vertebrae, the same as most mammals.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Kianga, a 1-year-old giraffe whose name means sunshine in Swahili, joins Louisville Zoo," 4 Apr. 2018
Clark’s vertebra was fractured, his chest cavity was penetrated, and his lungs were perforated and collapsed.

— monique judge, The Root, "#StephonClark: Independent Autopsy Shows Police Shot Him 8 Times, 6 in the Back," 30 Mar. 2018
In between your vertebrae are rubbery cushions called spinal discs.

— nina bahadur, SELF, "6 Things That Could Be Causing Your Lower Back Pain, Based on How It Feels," 28 Mar. 2018
Karamanos, a perennial leading rider in Maryland who earned his 2,000th career victory last summer at Laurel, suffered a minor fracture of his T-5 vertebra when thrown from his mount, Marie From Parie, Jan. 14 at Laurel.

— baltimoresun.com, "Digest: Trainer Gonzalez has 4-win day; Karamanos victorious in comeback at Laurel Park," 19 Mar. 2018
Banister nearly lost his leg as a teenager to bone cancer and an ensuing infection, then broke three vertebrae in his neck in a home-plate collision in junior college in 1983 but nonetheless fought his way to the Majors with the Pirates in 1991.

— ted berg, For The Win, "After gruesome injury in MLB debut, A's outfielder has no plans to be another Moonlight Graham," 19 Mar. 2018
The impact ripped a chunk of granite off the railing and left Keefe with a bleeding on her brain and fractures to her skull, vertebrae and eye socket.

— adam ferrise, cleveland.com, "Bartender sentenced for serving underage woman who fell from balcony on St. Patrick's Day," 15 Mar. 2018
The replacement disc fits entirely within the disc space and eventually the two metal plates grow into the vertebra above and below it, holding it in place.

— tj gibson, azcentral, "Is Mobi-C for me? The new cervical disc solution.," 14 Mar. 2018
Ideally, all patients over 50 who break a wrist, shoulder, hip or vertebra should be checked for osteoporosis and treated, if warranted.

— claudia wallis, Scientific American, "Osteoporosis: An Avoidable Crisis," 13 Mar. 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

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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