vertebra
noun
ver·te·bra
ˈvər-tə-brə 
-ˌbrā
-ˌbrā
plural vertebrae
ˈvər-tə-ˌbrā
-(ˌ)brē
-brə
or vertebras
-(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
Examples of vertebra in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While doing some unrelated research years after finding the fossil in storage, Bourque came across an image of a tegu vertebra.
—
Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2025
Oldest tegu in North America The road to discovering the new species, and new genus, began when Jason Bourque, the study author and fossil preparator for the Florida Museum of Natural History, came across an unidentified vertebra in storage.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Based on the size of its vertebra, researchers estimate the creature was at least 30 feet long.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Unable to rise to his feet himself, he was later diagnosed with a stable fracture of his T11 vertebra.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025
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Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2025
Oldest tegu in North America The road to discovering the new species, and new genus, began when Jason Bourque, the study author and fossil preparator for the Florida Museum of Natural History, came across an unidentified vertebra in storage.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Based on the size of its vertebra, researchers estimate the creature was at least 30 feet long.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Unable to rise to his feet himself, he was later diagnosed with a stable fracture of his T11 vertebra.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vertebra
Cite this Entry
“Vertebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertebra. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vertebra
noun
ver·te·bra
ˈvərt-ə-brə
: one of the sections of bone or cartilage that make up the spinal column
Medical Definition
vertebra
noun
ver·te·bra
ˈvərt-ə-brə
: 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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