spinal cord

noun

: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts see brain illustration

Examples of spinal cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neuralink’s trials aim to test the safety and effectiveness of the chip in individuals aged 22 to 75 with paralysis from spinal cord injuries or ALS. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025

Nitrous oxide impedes our ability to metabolize vitamin B12, which the body uses to protect nerves in the brain and spinal cord. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, the actor detailed the progression of the rare degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025

Per the National Institutes of Health, ALS progressively degrades, then kills nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spinal cord

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overboard
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard

Kids Definition

spinal cord

noun

: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain along the back in the cavity of the backbone, branches to form the spinal nerves, carries nerve impulses to and from the brain, and helps to control reflex actions

Medical Definition

spinal cord

noun

: the thick longitudinal cord of nervous tissue that in vertebrates extends along the back dorsal to the bodies of the vertebrae and is enclosed in the spinal canal formed by their neural arches, is continuous anteriorly with the medulla oblongata, gives off at intervals pairs of spinal nerves to the various parts of the trunk and limbs, serves not only as a pathway for nerve impulses to and from the brain but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain, and is composed largely of white matter arranged in columns and tracts of longitudinal fibers about a large central core of gray matter somewhat H-shaped in cross section and pierced centrally by a small longitudinal canal continuous with the ventricles of the brain

called also medulla spinalis