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
: a spinal anesthetic
Examples of spinal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article A UConn professor and researcher who 28 years ago discovered a gene for a protein that limits human muscle growth is closer than ever to having that work play a significant role in treating those with debilitating spinal muscular atrophy.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Can Blackburn stay healthy after his scary spinal injury?
—Will Sammon, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spinal
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Adjective
This is why breathing mechanics are critical — your breath drives rib movement, and rib movement allows for better spinal rotation.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article A UConn professor and researcher who 28 years ago discovered a gene for a protein that limits human muscle growth is closer than ever to having that work play a significant role in treating those with debilitating spinal muscular atrophy.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
The rock star’s health issues stem from a 2007 spinal injury that left him with severe nerve damage and limited mobility, complicating his ability to play the instrument.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Can Blackburn stay healthy after his scary spinal injury?
—Will Sammon, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spinal
Cite this Entry
“Spinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
spinal
2 of 2 noun
: a spinal anesthetic
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