cephalic

adjective

ce·​phal·​ic sə-ˈfa-lik 

1

: of or relating to the head

cephalic measurements

2

: directed toward or situated on or in or near the head

gastropods with cephalic tentacles

dragons with cephalic horns

cephalically

sə-ˈfa-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cephalic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, during the third trimester, as space in the uterus gets tight, most fetuses naturally reposition into the cephalic fetal position, which is ideal for delivery. —Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024

The ideal presentation is the cephalic or vertex position. —Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024

If there are no complications in your pregnancy and the baby has not yet turned on its own by the 36th or 37th week, your doctor may attempt to turn the baby using a manual procedure called external cephalic version (ECV). —Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024

While the hormones and neural signals are crucial to satiation, so is the sensory experience that takes place during the first phase of digestion—the cephalic phase—which begins at the sight of food. —Andrew Chapman, Longreads, 18 Apr. 2024

However, most babies turn into a head-down position (cephalic presentation) somewhere around 36 weeks gestation. —Maria Carter, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023

This tulkun, however, has seen better days: Two-thirds of its cephalic fin has been blown off, which speaks to the film's wider warfare. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Nov. 2022

Abdominal examination revealed a term pregnancy with a cephalic fetal presentation. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2018

Typically, tulkun have large petrel wings like a humpback whale, as well as a cephalic fin (an end fin). —Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle French céphalique, from Latin cephalicus, from Greek kephalikos, from kephalē head; akin to Old High German gebal skull, Old Norse gafl gable, Tocharian A śpāl head

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cephalic

• cephalic index

Rhymes for cephalic

• mesencephalic

Medical Definition

cephalic

adjective

ce·​phal·​ic sə-ˈfal-ik 

1

: of or relating to the head

2

: directed toward or situated on or in or near the head

cephalically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb