spinal

1 of 2

adjective

spi·​nal ˈspī-nᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column

2

a

: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord

spinal reflexes

b

: having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain

experiments on spinal animals

3

: of, relating to, or resembling a spine

spinal

2 of 2

noun

: a spinal anesthetic

Examples of spinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

One person suffered a spinal disk herniation, and another had an increase in enzymes that could signal liver damage, but those levels resolved within two weeks. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

The device delivers the anti-spasticity medication baclofen directly into the spinal fluid to help relax muscles and ease spasticity. —Tricia Despres, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

Noun

The following year, Neeson suffered a severe spinal injury. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025

Zavala had a pre-existing spinal condition and was on medication upon riding the coaster. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spinal

• spinal canal
• spinal cavity
• spinal column
• spinal cord
• spinal ganglion
• spinal nerve
• spinal tap

Rhymes for spinal

• final
• pinal
• vinyl
• affinal
• anginal
• synclinal
• vaginal
• anticlinal
• entorhinal
• isoclinal
• polyvinyl
• transvaginal

Kids Definition

spinal

adjective

spi·​nal

ˈspīn-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or located near the backbone

2

: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord

Medical Definition

spinal

1 of 2 adjective

spi·​nal ˈspīn-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column

2

a

: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord

spinal reflexes

b

: having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain

experiments on spinal animals

c

: used for spinal anesthesia

a spinal anesthetic

3

: made for or fitted to the spinal column

a spinal brace

spinally

-ē 

adverb

spinal

2 of 2 noun

: a spinal anesthetic